from Jeffrey O'Malley: EX VOTO

EX VOTO

there, among the convex arms,

legs, the fastened hearts, 

fixed heads, and archaic torsos,

there, just between you and

me, where flickering candle-light

fades, flecks of paint discover

plaster, adherence to stone,

we made promises in tin,

never ashamed of the others'

gold, silver destined

to tarnish, grow dull

in the stultifying air

as the lip curls,

knowingly, glancingly

echoes impressions

where once, inspired,

countless whispers

filled the concavities,

loosed, of the

monosyllabic

father-figure