>[improv for sarah, 12192010927] or [rudhira okha cardame; blood, gauche and light on glass, 3 x 4"]

there are the old tropes

the reaper swinging his grim scowl

a distant, longing victim

chained to posts and deep mercy

vultures contemplating victimhood

their flapping contrapositives

their lack of teeth does not them lack

but to snuff the fire, the impulse toward flame

even in the prolonged suffering of birth

ignites in a quick jerk and flags between

breaths. they’re abundant and filthy

proud deniers, dirty foxhole diggers

want what they want and what do they want.

Joseph M. Gerace