For Megan, on the death of her mother
From the first
She washed inside your tight little fists
Found the grime in your sweaty neck
Repeat, repeat, repeat
All the days of our lives
The things they taught us when
(When we had mothers
There was no world
Beyond the sound of her voice
Her touch was home)
They wash us so we are clean
They wash us so we will learn
They wash us so we will wash others
Today you washed her
Washed her clean
Sanctified her flesh
That is why
That is why
That is why
They wash us.
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