Under the Black Moon

I.
Mercury / black moon
Breathe

Little cat gripping the walls of the tub
Start over and trust that I can

II.
I wasn't old enough to even buy 
        cigarettes
Sought out trouble
The black sickness

Crouched over the hypnotic whirr of the ceramic wheel
My hands lost 
        in the curative water of clay slip
The clay demands perfect balance
        or else warps off center

I allow perfection to emerge 
       from me
Until the darkness leaves once and for all