the gift
stolen kisses in black berry winter
you were the bringer of bright shiny things
and conversation that kept until dawn
a pink flannel gown on a log cabin porch
a bottle of bourbon on a hillbilly table
harpooning the mermaid and chaining her yours
you gave her a baby boy and took him back
you gave her a garnet ring and took it back
you gave her Caribbean sand and took it back
Indian giver did you forget
you gave her your heart in a hemlock chest for her to keep
you starved her so hungry she had no choice but to eat it
copyright Paulette Powell
stolen kisses in black berry winter
you were the bringer of bright shiny things
and conversation that kept until dawn
a pink flannel gown on a log cabin porch
a bottle of bourbon on a hillbilly table
harpooning the mermaid and chaining her yours
you gave her a baby boy and took him back
you gave her a garnet ring and took it back
you gave her Caribbean sand and took it back
Indian giver did you forget
you gave her your heart in a hemlock chest for her to keep
you starved her so hungry she had no choice but to eat it
copyright Paulette Powell