Summary

The fourth section opens with “you’re dead, america.” The speaker makes gestures of defiance against America, including disrespecting the anthem and the flag and casting a curse. Instead of hiding in the shadows, the speaker remains in the open, only to find that “the man from tv” will be president (76). America dies, but something worse grows instead. The speaker promises that tomorrow they will search for hope and seeds for the future, but today they can only see their “honeyed kin,” their true nation, dying (76).

In “strange dowry,” the speaker dances alone because the others recognize the poison in their veins. A boy begins to dance with the speaker, but the speaker reveals the story of “the boy & the blood & the magic trick”—the boy says the same (78). This bad news is, for them, good news, and they celebrate the night together...