Small and sharp the teeth sinking into the flesh of the hand, red the blood that runs, bright the eye above the ball of the thumb, pink the tongue that laves, fast the heart beneath the delicate arch of the ribs, hard the palm against the floor.

A hunger, a hunger, an ulcer, acid gnawing deep into muscle, an egg released beyond the forest, any port will do, a liver, a kidney, swollen and ready, legs coiled to kick, eyes swollen and closed, drink deep, drink deep, drink deep.

Older, much older, death an unlined face in the mirror, cedar trees green, moss heavy lawn, a blade caught in the grass, the grass, motor still running, oil and wine, hillsides and trees, water and sky.

An empty street in a busy town, red sky at midnight, smoke in the lungs, promises, promises.