by Wanda Coleman

creole mama say get a pint of whiskey 4 quinine

run a tub of water hot as hot gets

sit in the tub

down the quinine drink all the whiskey

wait

it will pass with the expulsion of the child-stuff

moon-tide tissue threads and mucus. wrap it

in the shreds of a sheet

dispose of it after midnight

put a white light around the bed

lock your mind