The Elephant Man & Joseph Merrick

For those familiar angels, the better
of them, who have let me know them, gently,
though truly I cannot know them, I reach
in my words for the grace by which they have
withstood the burning atmosphere of this
world, knowing throughout they will land harshly,
and will not be, afterward, who they were
in the moment of flight. Now looking down
at my hands, which are repositories
for the fear I have learned to love, which bear
the brutality I cannot control,
and so remind me of myself, I see
they are dripping wet. I realize my
face is dripping onto your hands too, and
the fear our hands hold is changed as I have
been changed. Listen, you who I am gripping,
you who are undoubtedly my latest
angel: release me to my other life.

***

I turned his hipsand his hands

found the wallso fast I thought

he wasused to me, his head

turned to methere’s a rhythm

to the memory nowit clicks

like old kneesa record finished

I go homestand very still

in my bedroommirror, strip

my own hips turnmy hands

find the walllike anything

stunnedfinds aloneness

***

At first

Joseph-called-John repeats

Thank you SIR?, a great deal.

The baths do rid him

of the odor.

Yes sir. Three meals

a day delivered

to his room. Yes, sir.

A family within himself

of other animals, other names.

Yes. One room. He calls it

home.

HOME?