“habit”–from Proto-Indo-European root meaning “to give or receive”[and often] “to hold”— Etymonline
I inhabit a body unruly and dreams
incontinent and a continent torn
by hands gripping gunstocks
hands taking what they can
even the dirt especially dirt
In “habit” a hint of forgiveness
and also munitions from habits
always new sparks kindle
flames begetting a whirl
Raised by women wearing wimples
their faces framed hair
tucked back eyes maternal
or younger and sparking irresistible—
I inhabited Highland Park
nestled on Twelfth Street
I might say the fire was lit
in 1967 just
south of our little school
but that’s not quite right
Fire began when the Klan
took over the west side
of Detroit in the twenties
when Coughlin blamed the Jews
when gangs wielded tire irons
and rifles and rumors
in ‘43 Fire began
way before that In habit
always a lacerated hand