i, nanny, queen
nanny, chanted slow--
naaah-neee-- a rolling name

i, nanny, torching
souls and cane-fields
with roiling flames

      of words like follow me          love me

how could it be
i, nanny, warrior--
             never bended low
             never with child
             never with rounded breast
on anyone's tongue--
am the mother of all you marooned?