Lyrics

“The Return”
Suddenly the window will open
and mother will call me
it’s time to come home
the wall will part
and I shall enter heaven in my
muddy boots
I’ll sit at the table and churlishly
answer their questions
nothing’s the matter leave
me alone. I’ll just sit there
with my head in my hands. How can I
tell them about this long
and intricate road.
Here in heaven mothers
knit little green scarves
flies buzz
father nods by the stove
after six days of work.
No—I cannot tell them
that men jump
at other men’s throats.