there is no insurance for crossroads

bow down before the iniquity of america
whose only sunshine is the black bottom
whose only miscreations are worlds up and apart from your own
whose life
cut down short
shall live as you do
painted and erect and dazzling
as a slave

bow down, be near the earth
she listens to your words
hallows your heartaches in her hollows
listening to the world of your spit
and dumb cum
your young bodies
striving for richer shores

blaze as light
before your darkness
see your pit
shake off your boots
lean over the edge
and spit

in its fall
I hold your rage
a keepsake and insurance bond on your children's lives