He says his grandmother
used to warn the children
of bestial transgression, eating flowers
consuming forests elemental forces
showing signs of being evil
the snow that buries you alive with their elegant parasols
fortune-tellers, conjurers
storytellers, snake charmers
the sun set

bind his calves, or twist his head
up and present it to the moon
goddess,
"This is my face. Now it's my face."