2 March 2004 | Vol. 4, No. 1

Cyclops Mary

by ARACELIS GIRMAY

                         (part I)

If Cyclops Mary heard it.

If that sentence flew clean into the ear.

If the whole thing traveled pure,

unrustled by the pigeons.

If Old John dipped his tongue in alcohol

and sent the words to her stinking of rum.

If the verbs, pronouns, and grammar of the thing

traveled to her steady like a train.

    &n