Real Country Dark
There is a straight edge at the juncture
where the shopping list interlaces
the butcher shop humidity,
which shines and pushes back at
the woman behind the meat counter
then evaporates in the air above the freezer.
The necessary ingredients
form a sharp circle,
a gas ring or maybe an open sore.
Your disappearance is the obvious selection.
Thumb and slick back the curl,
blow on the Polaroid.
Who is at the window wearing plastic shoes and crying?
Who is putting on his apron
and standing by the radiator?
Who shall be cured to intensify the flavor?
Concerning a stainless steel bowl,
concerning the jowls of a pig,
concerning your stained dress
and how the shopkeeper arranges time.
An easy bargain,
but you must decide what you will trade.
Consistency in the mouth and throat.
She can make you float,
if necessary.