(an ancient dangerous weed)
an ancient dangerous weed
forever unfurling
spiralling from a molten deep,
through a liquid metal bed,
out the dry jagged jaw
of rugged clay hair
the universe pale & parched
a chaffed crying
a fist of rice paper
loudly unwrapping—a dead gift
aborted bitter fruit
untangling and caustic
ascorbic & sour, a
powdered rind
grey & flailing with wind
this nightshade
crippling my every day
a heavy rotting
tearing flesh,
barbed with gravity;
a mighty sterile stone
rolling a slow orbit, occluded
its habit enshrouded
by dry red clouds
& dead mustard blooms,
a poison perfume
petalling every room.
serin sap
suffocating every inch of air
stolen birthright atmosphere,
roughing every arc
through every harsh angle.
beneath this angry eave
the blasting leaves attack
stain & choke
the past-pink foul
of my chained feet.
immobilized
by this braiding crawler,
the weaving vine
poisoning the yawning pockets
twisting through my spine.
an ancient dangerous weed