The days pile up into pebbles and rains,

autumn’s tree-fall is hauled out of storage.

In the big house all the pots and pans

are bubbling with roast pig and rabbits.

Barrels of whisky, hard cider and wine

are rolled under the shuffling black feet.

Massa lifts windows on gospel chime

and a fiddler bows nigger relief.

The seasonal gifts of bracelets and chains

in exchange for names that were first chosen.

Clandestine prayers for the blood bursting veins

and a god not quite perished but frozen.

Both the family pets and those untamed yet

are permitted to gaze on the fountain

and dream work and sweat will wash away debt

before pebbles and rains are all counted.