For the Unkept House

Fill the bucket with water.
Fill the coffin with stones.
There’s a full moon over the river
and there’s no going home.

Make a well in the water.
Make a house in the dark.
There’s a full moon over the meadow
and there’s no going back.

Sweep the stars from the window.
Sweep the dust from the door.
There’s a full moon over the kitchen
and there’s no going back anymore.

Break off the branches that withered.
Break off the flowers that grow.
There’s a full moon over the gatepost
and there’s no place to go.

Pick the stones from the meadow.
Pick the weeds from the grave.
There’s a full moon over the threshold
and there’s no time to leave.