pliable vessel; wax,
salt, seal. cayenne for
quickening. unfasten me
roses overbloomed on the mantle
I, a little altar; plutonian
and breathing fire for weeks. prayers
plucking at a lung; draw me out
draw me out
draw me out
liberate pulp from seed
and nothing at the periphery, the spark
or the flame? plant the wick in the finger,
or here, for the liver,
or here, for the bladder, or here,
and I, rabid on the linens,
ruptured and shucked
til she gives way and all is
supple, wet and steam
shivering in its own brine