Bloodroots

dear artemis,

sometimes I blame you
for the moon in my blood,
the wolf in my mouth
and the way I live more than half
in the woods even when there
are walls around me

you know, my mother did teach me
to turn a house into a home
but it never took. maybe
homemaker is a recessive gene

but artemis, even you knew
when to quit and throw a party. I bet,
those were some pretty great parties
and even nymphs like clean flatware
like anybody

so, on days like today
when I feel I could take down almost
anything with my bare hands
besides one more dust bunny
help me not to disgrace myself completely –

amen