This Is the Water and This Is the Well

Jack Bedell

Twin Peaks: The Return, E8

 

 Spread your smile, girl, and open

          your throat a bit to let the truth

slide all the way in. It will

          fold its wings and swim

tight circles in your belly.

 

Like the trembling radio told

          each one of us, Drink full

and all will end. Swallow hard

          to help. That locust’s come

across the desert just for you.

 

It’s waited 11 falls to crack

          its shell and drag itself

through white sand to your

          window, so rest your head. 

Let the others bleed.

 

No need to worry about ghosts.

          The sun will sort them out

in the morning. You’ve got

          growing to do now with this new

burden, and all it’s set to unleash.

 

***

Jack B. Bedell is Professor of English and Coordinator of Creative Writing at Southeastern Louisiana University where he also edits Louisiana Literature and directs the Louisiana Literature Press. His latest collection is No Brother, This Storm (Mercer University Press, fall 2018). He served as Louisiana Poet Laureate 2017-2019.