Song for Ana Mendieta

It was springtime when you went out into the forest
it's true what they said, you never needed anybody's help
you took the wax from the candles and poured it unto your skin
I still can't believe you would go and do that to yourself

I'm happy and waiting, I'm happy and waiting
I'm still writing my poetry underneath the moon
for a year you were gone, but I got your letters
I took out the best part and now I'll sing it to you:
If we were to imagine a dessert it would have thousands of mirrors
If we were to imagine our hearts it would sound just like our feet
If we were to imagine our children they would be dressed up in little bowties
If we were to imagine a new body it would have the shape of a tree
If we were to imagine a perfect life it would just go on forever
if we were to imagine a new body it would have the shape of a tree

You're like a prayer for rain that is answered with a promise of flood
you're like a longing for peace that is answered with a promise of blood
when the time is right, when the planets align
I will carry your remains and bury them out in the yard
out among all the rosary bushes, I am walking around
like an elephant out in the yard
"We are waiting for someone to stand up and wave to us now!"
All the skeletons underneath the floorboards
are thinking of someone who stood up and waved to them
like your sacrifice could ever be enough
when you promised the world you would never look up
at the faded white ribbon, the moon's yellow light
that is pulling the blankets from Saturday nights
unraveling slowly a scene in the dark
You were thinking of someone who called out to you in the dark

Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
aglow at night like wild balloons
the evenings last conversation always heads for the moon
on the night sky we tumble and meet
but in the morning we always land on our feet