Positioned on a bald hilltop, this old
building calls itself
precious. Everyone she knows 

is too afraid
to touch it. She’s positioned
aloft, precious 

over the river—everyone is too afraid 

to touch her. Water moves
only over falls. Winter has slammed
against all she sees 

below. When healing does push thaw
forward, she will not be afraid 

to put her whole hand in muddy water
to wash away the strange
curse crushed inside stone facades.