FOR ELISE COWEN

For as God watches over the sparrow
so shall he watch over you
even now
the mentally ill
mourn the loss of you
had you lived
to see Freud's theories
proven wrong
would you have read the Yipster Times?
would you have joined The Weather Underground?
would you then
have the strength to embrace
to love
the Kether in thy soul?
Had you held on
just seven more years
would you have made love
to Janis Joplin? or Patty Smith?
would you spit in the face
of Tori Amos
or french kiss her?
would you have laughed
with Ani DeFranco?
Sung
"Little fish little fish
swimming in the water
come back here man
gimme my daughter"
with PJ Harvey
and meant it?
would you have taken your meds?
they're better now, Elise,
these days the meds are better
would you have adopted a child
or stuck with cats?
Yeah - cats are easier
would you have voted for
Geraldine Ferraro
or Hillary Clinton?
would you have published your poems?
would you have liked this one?
the one that would never
have been written
there would have been no need
would your mother have apologized to you?
would you have accepted it?
would you have a cup of tea
and peyote with me?
don't be scared
I'd hold your hand
keep you safe
watch cartoons with you
and make you laugh
Shalom
Sweet Sparrow
Shalom