Temperance

[wytchcroft]

and she says,
as the rain hits the hospital steps
"this is as far as anyone gets"

i'm smuggling in blood oranges and cigarettes
for Madeleine

Madeleine
mad, mad
mad, mad
Madeleine

shaking a fist
and the ice slips from her fingers

Madeleine
mad, mad
mad, mad
Madeleine
i'm a model, she says
of temperance

Madeleine
i've been
smuggling in
blood oranges and cigarettes

to that place
that takes my breath
away
watching those white ghosts in uniform
calling her forth
calling her forth
to perform
for them
she walks that line
she walks that line
so steadily

walks like a child
into their arms
those welcoming arms

when i pulled her from the water
the ice was slipping
from her fingers

and i'm standing on the steps
with a desperate gift
of cigarettes and fruit
and the heavens are opening wide

like a parachute.