At Maddox Table a yoke was carved for my neck, was tailor made. - Natalie Merchant

Sylvia keeps beasts in jars labeled by
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
Genus
Species

wide open falsehood
the clandestine truths
rival till the end
in a series of duels
pardon the drapery language I choose
Waltz in Vienna has taught me to use

every tall room a fiction
leatherbound treasure books
up to the ceiling
gold spine upon spine

the guile and the treason
the faith and allegiance

wide open falsehood
the clandestine truths
rival till the end
in a series of duels
pardon the drapery language I choose

the author grew fat to imagine
his lead pen careening
gave voice to the scheming
an Aryan cabale to dethrone

the guile and the treason
the faith and allegiance
to the empire unknown

the baron and his mistress
dine in a fine banquet hall
as rebel insurgents
plot in the attic space crawl

the guile and the treason
the faith and allegiance
now lie in my hand

She borders the pavement
Flanks avenues
The parades pass
White glove attended by
My mother the war

She'll raise a shaft
Lift a banner
Toss a rose
My mother the war
Mother the war

Mother the war

She knows every neighbor
Chats at their doors
Compare
Econosize electric appliances
My mother the war

Come share tea
And a seat by
My cradle with
My mother the war
Mother the war

Mother the war

Forsaken vigil
Three years each tour
Hands of God enfold him
Prayed
Mother the war

Haunt a doorway
Beg a postman
Is there word for
Mother the war

My mother the war
Mother

5 black stars!

In bitter defiance
She's spiting the corps
Wet a brood
Short league for combat
Mother the war

Well acquainted
With sorrow
With grief
My mother the war

Mother the war!

Folded lace
Carrion and
Blood soaked robes
Folded lace
Carrion
Blood soaked shroud!