A Pounding

Beatrice grips the orange felt mouse

(green tail) between her curled front paws

& rakes it hard with her rear ones — mild

mouse, bell stitched to the base of its tail,

doesn’t feel it, lies fat in her fevered grasp

until it’s forgotten. The tree frog hops

compactly from floor to wall to glass, bounding

prey Beatrice can’t let pass — crouch,

leap, slap — she mouths it up & saunters

only to drop the flattened frog, lick her paws,

quiver in dismay — the taste of amphibian

must be ghastly yet on they fly, feline

pounding frog thinner & longer. The frog

begins to subside. I throw it outside.

Sam Lord

by Kamau Brathwaite

The lord is my shepherd

he created my black belly sheep

he maketh me to lie down in green pastures

where the spiders sleep

he leadeth me beside the still waters

lakes green pond constitution river glitter bay

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake

tho i am dry as a crack sculptors mould

he restoreth my soul

yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death

minnie root gullyroot lignum vitae

the green bowl of the watergrass under the tree

thrash down by the rain in the image of the tree

i will wear no eyevil.   for thou art with me

the grass lying down w/the rain

ragged point at dreams morning

oistin town dripping to dust in the long line of fishermans lanes

thy rod & thy staff they comfort me

seine lobsterpot gaulin

thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies

candle.   book of confectionery that i will proudly bear

bell that i will break & pour its sound

in the vévé

breadnut.  casket of my mother

plantain.  mortar. slave song

& the grapefruit which is life which is love

which is death which is resurrection

skin of fire.  pith of innocent air

pulp of flesh of freshest clear.  gold volcano seed of earth

thou anointest my head with oil

halleluja

thy rod & thy staff no longer assault me

my cup of hands runneth over

surely goodness & mercy.  francina & faith

will follow me all the days of my life

& I will dwell in the house of the merchant

for nvr