Aurora Poem by RIC BASTASA

she talks of demons
in men
hanging on their shoulders
holding their necks
burdens like rocks on their
heads

and so she left her husband
looking for exorcists
she left her mother looking
for deliverance

you talk to her about the
beach
and the sun and summer
and fun
and she would not like it

you talk about a breakfast
of ham and egg and sandwich
and marmalade and butter
and brewed coffee
and she has none

and so i do not have to tell
you what happened next
or about exorcism and religion

find her at ward 8 and then pour
all your pity and sympathy
i once asked, why? what did this
religion do to her/

what really happened when she was
once a girl vibrant with her
Madonna doll?