Newborn Awakening

Gently they stir, gently rise

The dead are newborn awakening


With ravaged limbs and wet souls


Gently they sigh in rapt funeral amazement


Who called these dead to dance?


Was it the young woman learning to play the ghost song on her baby grand?


Was it the wilderness children?


Was it the ghost god himself, stuttering, cheering, chatting blindly?


I called you up to anoint the earth


I called you to announce sadness falling like burned skin


I called you to wish you well


To glory in self like a new monster


And now I call you to pray