Word of the Day

Lauren Swift

dégringolade

The mortar used
to enjamb these bricks
is soluble;
in the rain, the granules
are separating—
they are in a decrescendo:

ring around the rosie

With no adhesive,
things succumb.

Mass. There is a prayer
being offered:
“Look upon your people with mercy,
for we are divided in so many ways,”

It is not our human schism
that is so disconcerting,
but gravity—
if gravity can choose the moment it
cleaves away from our feet.

ashes, ashes

sinking,
we all
are clinging to the earth
we all
urge the universe
to hold

we all fall