LIFTING UP HER HIPPOPOTAMUS Poem by Tomas Lieske

I am the angel that alleviates the raging
bends the hurricane round.

For years
a glass city surrounded her on all sides
In one night all the glass was shattered.

Stroke the shards from her
black hair, save her will to live.

After the funeral put everything away.
Her hands that hold the toys so tightly
free them again and set them in motion.

Quench her thirst after only tainted water
keep the dead birds at a distance
sprinkle the cracked roads with cinders.
A warm cover when the sun sets
a tent to live in and to pray
a fire against the belly-crawling vermin
a narrative to structure thoughts.

Close her eyes, tighten her rhythm
tilt her limbs on the hard ground,
lift up her hippopotamus.