blessed be the rooter
the wallower
the groaner in dusk

blessed the mud-slick flank
the cracked hoof
the snout that knows where rot becomes ripe

i piss where i please
i fuck when the hunger says
i shit and it steams
and i stay beside it

i am not clean
i am not light
i am not above anything

but i know
what goes in
and i know
what comes out

i was made before the blade
before the word
before the shame
and i do not forget

blessed be the sow
who bore me squealing
blessed the runt
blessed the stink
blessed the lash that taught me no prayer
only breath

you may wash me
you may name me
but i will root again
and again
and again

i am pig
i am the one who stays
i am the one who eats
and sings only when full