The Battle of Jericho 

after Servant and The Old Testament 

The harlot of Jericho welcomes the spies.

First through a womb post six preceding  

tries (blue-capped sticks organized beside 

where husband sleeps, the pink plus sign readings 

in plastic, progeny, keep the name of 

each tragedy close to his heart, marked 

in Sharpie, documenting each start.  Love 

requires some sacrifices sixfold, stark 

observations of urbane wives cajoled 

by the second’s arrival via front door —

puritanical sort you abhor, old 

Testament tropes (madonnas, crosses, whores.)

Angel of judgment, that a harlot lets in,

restores your first born to smite him again. 

Kristin Garth is the author of seventeen books of poetry including Flutter Southern Gothic Fever Dream, The Meadow and Candy Cigarette Womanchild Noir.  She is the Dollhouse Architect of Pink Plastic House a tiny journal and has a weekly sonnet podcast called Kristin Whispers Sonnets.  Visit her site Kristingarth.com and talk to her on Twitter @lolaandjolie