By Misti Velvet Rainwater
Date: 26 October 1998

Guarded

       ...no, your drunk charity is no coverup, no careless southern painting
 curse you and your welcome shiver, your dark, lonely layers
          your sweet, reckless promise

I am armoured against glossy disaster
holiday rape
my wizened brain monitors
womanizer pollution
telegraphs diversion actors
and meteor soldiers
to my ancient heart