Patricia Smith

A storm's-eye view of the devastation that forever changed New Orleans and America.

Poems

Blood Dazzler

sage lynn

Let’s wait patiently for the rain. / That blistered sky has learned my days / and hates me for everything I have. As it should.

from “10:30 A.M., Sunday, August 28, 2005”

Rev’s an itty bitty somethin’, though. / If they all took a deep breath and let it out in his direction, / they could lift him off his feet. They could pray for themselves.

guide the gold of her into / your arms blessing the droop / and blown skin marveling / at the way her soul rides / slickly on the outside of / everything how it ripples / the water how it so deftly / damns your hands 

Blood Dazzler Poems

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