Child-Ghost - Tyler Butler
It seems long ago that we ended the winter
And spoke of the women we loved
We'd been to the market
You called me a sailor
We spent all our money on wine
Many times we've been drinking
Many times we're alone
We are shaped by the distance
But your letters still come
Under Last night you dreamt of your daughter
Born as a woman in front of your eyes
The old dream that haunts you
Straight-haired she carries
The muscles and bones of your wife
You have been left horned
Old brother of mine
And chased by a child-ghost
Cannot sleep through the night
It's early in winter my dear wounded brother
Sleep and be slow in your rise
A year since she
Left you be sleeping in bedrooms
And paint every woman you find
And spreading your oils
Be quick to fall in love
We are shaped by our drinking
But your letters still come