hungry people

if the voice breaks, let it break
if the child runs, let it stumble
we all know that all genders must conform before god

do we hide because of our shame
or is it simply
the awesome power
and retribution
of our dark maker?

all the while while we are waiting the rains are waiting
all the while while we are wanting our bellies are wanting
and when the leash is loose
great bellies of rivers will line the streets
all of our neighbors will come scurrying up the sides of the house
and we will know that almost
we know nothing

but the fat and the sugar
are too sweet to remember
anything we cannot now taste

bring forth the old men and let them dance
there is little else we can do with them
their bones and our bones
and maybe the bones that we scatter
dust cannot weep without rain

and there is only this superfluous
a stilted speech
and hungry people