scorched
pearled blisters
[pause]
[pause]
root ripping, spade scraping
subtle firm thud of earth
deep pits of color wash behind eyelids
in stunted breath
we went out
we went out
scorched & pausing
like for like
spitfire baby
nail guns & silk draped
on beryl babes
spur of
spur of
the
pumping valves
off-key, off-key mauve nightingales
clotted gobs of scarlet
off-key
”for your own good”
Madonna amidst
{moon models}
-godforsaken-
swaddled in meanness
at one hundred and two degrees
indigo rattles
steel joints fending
rigor mortis
endmost, endmost rock-a-byes
incredibly unbrave I am
levitate me
as I am traversing
more than that
pocketing whispers
of overboard children
locked in my
locked in my death
trap
fortress
parched disgust
doused
burnt
summoning the saints of fatigue
& a litany of fallen
fallen fools
sharpest candy cane
competitions
sharp sugar
cut my tongue
iron flavors
I have won.
sickly yellows dance
upon my teeth lined stomach
palms cupped
with frosted jewels
outstretched wombs
while elegant eyelids
conceive liquid wounds