Andrea Scarpino

for Margaret Hassan

Here is the split, dark crop 

in the stone’s heart. I say,

as I hold in my hand, stone,

as in skipping, as in refuse

to answer. Today on the news, 

another beheading, a woman

this time. As in leave no 

unturned, black hole of a mouth,

of a plum, of an eye. I know you 

have stones there, hail, paving,

ware. Find one. Hold it. As in 

cast the first. As in to death.