FREED VERSE

after Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Patience Taught by Nature”

“O dreary life!” we cry, “O dreary life!”
Oceans rise, schisms quake under
pressurized atmosphere, carbonic imprints
of heavens unassembled, lives unlived.

Stymied by smoke, soot, gas! GAS!
CROWD THE BARRACKS! RETURN TO SENDER!
This air reeks of mustard, this dirt
crumbles. Barren earth cakes between

the soles of his boots, wet with saliva.
Lick all you want, they will remain unclean.
Amylase cannot dissolve Her tears.
Salty.

Yes, these chloride vows endure. The coming clouds
are pregnant; an ionic future awaits.