Five Views of the New History
James Bertolino
1. Her Arms
He was killed
in Saigon
but not before he found
her graceful yellow thighs
were the forearms
of our lord.
2. Her Garden
Her garden,
terraced
to several heights of color,
was a congregation
of flowers
each bearing witness
to one of her deaths.
They found her late
in the bleached hours,
her face the salmon-pink
of the drooping rose.
3. The Marriage
No longer willingly
imprisoned
by the hypnosis
of the real
she entered the garden
of opposition
to be the marriage
of the lamb.
4. Seventh Month
From deep in the crib her eyes
held him,
the long clear gaze
that said father, I’ve much to tell you,
but moment by moment my memory leaves
and I still haven’t learned
to speak.
5. The Face
Each day the face
of the savior we seek
seems more Asian
in the imagination
the skin color rich, cheekbones
high, the feminine eyes
slanted deliciously.