Water in the basin turning cold I watch her dry the silver, watch her hold The heavy iron skillets in her hands The only one who really understands Papa’s heavy boots upon the stair I trace the damp curl of her heavy hair Down in the cellar where the light can’t reach Practicing the things the sermons never teach Woolen skirts are heavy in the heat I lay my head down softly at her feet Oh, Bridget with your hands so rough and red The only saint I pray to in this bed Keep the secret underneath your tongue We are too trapped to die this young Hold me in the shadow of the stairs God is too busy to hear our prayers Floorboard creaks beneath her bare white toes She pulls me tight against the pantry wall Not caring if the iron pans should fall Her mouth is cold against my hollow throat A heavy anchor on a sinking boat We share a breath, we share a single lung Before the heavy words can reach the tongue Hold my hips until the skin goes white Lock the heavy shutters for the night Let the floorboards take the weight we made Resting in the dark where we are laid Oh, Bridget with your hands so rough and red The only saint I pray to in this bed Keep the secret underneath your tongue We are too trapped to die this young Hold me in the shadow of the stairs God is too busy to hear our prayers Don't move... Keep your mouth right here... Quiet now... Just you and me...
