The night my ribs were fractured
I let you sleep in my bed
But awoke with a new determination
One seed of doubt that finally wedged in,
took root in the marrow
flourished in my blood
bowed with every breath
—until the little tendrils slithered through every vein—

and drew low cries out of me;

After that I learned to be calm
by staring into the eyes of the Devil
and telling him I had nothing to take,

Not a hot meal to eat
nor even a bone left to break.