Center
Jody Zolli
In the space between my words
Breath draws me down
Into the thoughts
Iīd sought to banish
Over the edge
Into the dark
Along a spline
Of stomach-spleen
Crimson consumption
The stammering gasp
Pain immolated
In carbon-arc isolation
Tap the vein
Draw the ink along
Arterial arc to fill
Fearīs fountain pen
Avert my eyes
Skin a marred parchment
Receipt for debts repaid
When I run in the red
Distracted dabbing
Surcease, release
Having staunched
I tide the hunger over
Cover the spoiled soil
Scarred with repetition
Written in the wordless dialect
That only nightmares know
