when the blood stays wet
and what do itches get?
scratch my back for a goddamn minute
that’s the spot where god went in it
there’s a spot in the golden sun
a spot made just for the golden one
i’ve got a golden ticket
why don’t you come here and lick it?
i’ve got a bloody mouth
that’s what we call a hole down south
down yonder where the grass don’t grow
the sun don’t shine and the snow don’t snow
beware the teeth without a smile
beware the teeth without a smile
breeze down south to the golden thicket
i’ve got a berry and you can pick it
i’ve got my heart zipped up with string
i get what i want and i want one thing
a breeze will blow against my back
and the rain will shine and the sun will crack
and the tide will rise
and the trees will snap
and the people will come
and they won’t come back
Emily Bark Brown is a poet from Alabama. Along with Zoe Tuck, they co-edit Hot Pink Magazine, a poetry venture, at hotpinkmag.com.