CRUDE

by Lyn Lifshin

the blackness
rising to the surface
oozing up to
the surface, slick
oozing in the back
yards. “No trespassing
Danger” signs. Oily
muck in the street.
“If they stay
they’re signing
their own death
warrant” on a sign
near a house
Candidates come
here days before
the election
to shake hands

***

it’s like a ghost
town, houses boarded
up. I’m afraid if
I leave the house
they’ll loot or burn
it. I have a child
with birth defects
of heart, pancreas.
Kidney. Chloroform
was so high it
wouldn’t be allowed
in any work place.
I was pregnant.
The state told me
nothing wasn’t
safe

*Lyn's website: http://www.lynlifshin.com/books.htm