During the night, I was besotted with thoughts and words and images as, outside, I could hear birds shrieking (a woman crying?)….and I thought about Sam Patch.
Sam Patch’s Last Jump*
I didn’t change the litter.
The garbage sits by the kitchen door.
They’ll find those love letters
I should have burned long ago.
So many things I should have done.
No time now to tidy up.
The loose ends
Will snake together
And make a final knot
No thanks to me.
*Sam Patch, the “Yankee Leaper” was an ex mill worker who made his living jumping off high spots. He died jumping 125 feet into the Genesee River in 1829.
