The Gospel of B.C. By DFaye Anderson

The Gospel of B.C.

By DFaye Anderson

moons before Flint
I thoth it was the water
microscopic traces of metals -
I thoth it was the water!
in michigan’s motortowns, once mighty
factorytowns
                                                Pontiac, Detroit
                                                          Flint and
                                                Saginaw

titans of industry
lead poisoning, neglect
and industrial waste
NO.
mooons before Flint
bits, flecks of
steel
I imagined
seepedleakedspilled
the water
laced
and flowing from the kitchen tap
The Gospel of B.C./2
traces
embedded in
the uterus
ensconced in the placenta
primed and processed
slips of silver
woven into the gentle
swish
of the am-
niotic sac suck suck suck
suckled through the umbilical cord
lining the tiny lungs throats
and chords

flashes of lightning
in the chromosomes
thunder in the DNA

parts
          and
pieces
in the promised land

but
a willful,
stubborn spirit
was born
in the man/u/fac/ture
and impurities
consumed&transformed, or fired and burned away

How else do I explain Betty Carter? Betty Carter? Betty Carter!