Millie, Warm the Kettle

I'm burning wick to fingertip with sage
From my shaky-shakin' hands
Milly, what have you done to me
My friend?

I'm tossin' turnin' in an open grave
Coined-tongued with whatever I can save
Carrying hauntings of a brand-new age—
Millie, can't you see I slide
Planchettes with my wake?

Catch me walking with the ghosts again
Must be on that double dose, depends
Roman chamomile all down the throat, lift hands
In Michigan, the lakes all darken
Blackbirds flocking to and fro, sevens
Roots drag marsh (harsh) over the floor, levelin'
Millie, can't you stop them? You slow no omens
Like exhaling, it never ends

I'm coughing up elderberry on the stage
Like your sacrificial lamb
Millie, hypnotize pain away, I beg

I'm whisper-hissing notes on every slate
That I scribe and toss into the hungry waves
Carrying itchings for a familiar ache
Millie, can't you see I made a walking stick out of my stake?

Catch me walking with the ghosts again
Must be on that double dose, depends
Roman chamomile all down the throat, lift hands
In Michigan, the lakes all darken
Blackbirds flocking to and fro, sevens
Roots drag marsh (harsh) over the floor, levelin'
Millie, can't you stop them? You slow no omens
Like exhaling, it never ends

Three redwing blackbirds outside my window
Two fish heads at my door
What be this omen, I'll never know
Millie, warm the kettle once more

Three redwing blackbirds outside my window
Two fish heads at my door
One kettle bubbling atop rusted stove but
Millie, warm the kettle once
Millie, warm the kettle once
Millie, could you so please be
A kind old dearie just for me
And warm the kettle's tea once more?

Catch me walking with the ghosts again
Must be on that double dose, depends
Roman chamomile all down the throat, lift hands
In Michigan, the lakes all darken
Blackbirds flocking to and fro, sevens
Roots drag marsh (harsh) over the floor, levelin'
Millie, can't you stop them? You slow no omens
Like exhaling, it never ends