Haunted House
by JESSICA NELSON NORTH
THEY say a man lived here. He had hands. He had eyes.
He was blessed with a brain — cursed with a tongue that spoke.
Stupid and wise,
He wore sex like a flower, like a yoke.
He was blessed with a brain — cursed with a tongue that spoke.
Stupid and wise,
He wore sex like a flower, like a yoke.
Loved badly and well.
Fondled a child. Beat the child till it cried.
Sweated and slept. Invited Heaven and Hell.
Lived. Died.
Fondled a child. Beat the child till it cried.
Sweated and slept. Invited Heaven and Hell.
Lived. Died.
Life was his house. We walk in its rooms and are glad.
Drink from its well. Kneel on its floor to pray.
Here was his grief and all the joy he had,
So they say.
Drink from its well. Kneel on its floor to pray.
Here was his grief and all the joy he had,
So they say.