babel

,
i am lost, she says
an echo breathing
through television speakers

"if only i had known
what i give myself to" 

outside she lies
a tithe to hell
with dogged eyes

it was the dog
that watched her fall

were there other witnesses?
the masks hanging inside
peer through the window

what snakes sliver 
out her mouth cry

"help me"

from “the dogs of babel” by carolyn parkhust