Vincent Cioffi
Empire

Empire

If there is no other work
You will be taught to tango.
You will teach others or

In your stockings and bra,
You will paint and be
Photographed painting.

You will feed every bird between
The loft and the studio. You will
Prepare potatoes, in the Polish way and in
The Swiss-German way.

While you cook, the photographer
Will put his hands on you.
You will hear his confession. You will

ignore the flames,
ignore the rubble.

In this way
You will be allowed to continue.


ISBN 1-59661-002-6
25 pages $9