Out Damn Spot
By William Laferriere
Out damn spot
exclaimed the iniquitous Lady M
In William’s foremost tale
her fears well accounted for
And the psychological toll
knavishly awaiting all
Out damn spot
Out damn spot
fill those diagnosed dreams
A metastasizing growth
proves every bit as daunting
As the Lady M’s infamous lament
so we too think, walk and talk about
Out damn spot
Out damn spot
when the Lady somehow manages
To fall into a fitful sleep
she’s plagued by the nightmare
Of blood and death on her hands
her dreams too are made of iron and steel
Out damn spot
Out damn spot
she rubs her hands
And tries to erase
“here’s yet a spot” she laments
“The small of blood still”
she cries out in desperation
Out damn spot
Out damn spot
the grief, the guilt
Sleep no more becomes the haunt
and what is to become
Of the life we so anticipated
the anatomy of grief prevails
Out damnable spot
