studies in geneology

this morning reaches under
the ribs -
(last time i complain
about these wounds,
i'll tell you this.)

    i'd tell you the words
    my grandmother spoke,
    had she ever lived.

try to see the oaks on fire,
grandmothers
in flames.

    the worst of it has passed.
tongue lost,
hair torn -

these storied peaks

     and ridgelines like collarbones
beneath her chin.