Brushed honey
hardened on sun sill
rippling ridges of the sea
static in resin
memories
A metal hook punctures flesh
my palm
the blood did not flow
caught between layers of
skin
as if pounding
seismic waves off my chest
tension held
Eyeballs widen
flesh colored worms
halved
writhing
I couldn’t.
Bile rising –
someone did it
tossed the silver pin
death bringer
into dark water
Curing against greying clouds
whispers of rain
I lift up
A tug, snap
“Roll it up!”
disoriented
small gleaming spoon –
“I want to hold it”
Gruff fingers
snip snap – fast
silver scales flap on concrete
I watched
as he flicked it – too small
bounces off the ledge
splashing
Am I more alive for it?
Layered Fragments, Becoming Whole 