On “Handle with Care” by Kay Sage

Nadia Wolnisty

Beware the gentle things in the garden.
They will take you out. They
are small but have mouths.

Beware the mouths in the garden.
They are small and have insect designs.
They are gentle but take out your garden.

This is the hum of infection. Gentle mouths
singing in dissonance. Mouth garden
will take. I go to snail.

Hum a lullaby to a baby that isn't there.
I pace the hall as if plowing rows.
Snail woman. Mouth and small.

Beware the goodbye you forgot to say.
Handle with care or it will overtake
your garden with hungry mouths.

The garden will take root until
you go to snail. Then you too
will know how to pace and hum.

When you were here, we planted a garden.
I a fertile hole. When you left, aphids
took hold. Caterpillars too. I see them

from my window. Twists me in bed sheets
like a cold dream, mouth, hungry, and small.