mortal in our exuberance when we burst we burst in ecstasy we swoon and rise

to the bellowing of fresh a beast so strong yet frail

the canvas for the future a marionette taut on string until eternity

dead of day you are a dog on the street seeking a dumpster to sleep

drink your wine young man

by the opening in the grass I have become a horse of lightning / scalded earth

can you say blood diamond

my broken body I am a glass of water on a hot day / floating in the sea and what can you say

you take me out for coffee at 11 AM and in the night take me to bed / blow

my brains out then tuck me in a blanket

(originally published in The Round, Fall 2023)