After the storm

by DS Maolalai

branches about

like dropped broken

animal bones. cow bones

and sheep bones. chicken

bones; a slaughterhouse.

blood-soaking roads

and clouds like grey

bandages, winding up some-

body's wrist. people

leaving houses

very quietly together –

looking at the world

and not talking. and no –

it's not a slaughterhouse.

a hospital. peaceful

in the aftermath

as cups of boiled tap-

water. left out

on a countertop

to cool.