Harm

The tolling bell did not repel lightning;

nor garlic, the undead;

nor strung-up pie plates, the crows.

There were breakthroughs

despite the shots.

Peel off white

from sky and wrap

the bodies up.

Would you drink what turned

vinegar to ease disease?

Horse tranquilizers in a pinch?

A dog chews

grass for the gut.

A deer licks salt.

You wear blue

the color of Hattie's ceiling,

chant the number seven,

bless the chicken and the fatback.

You go on, uncloaked 

in the bitter night.

-Donna Isaac