Owl Pellets

© 2000 Holly Day
All rights reserved.

cold, bone-
dry, branches lifting white
to meet the air, to match the screams
flesh sloughing off in wads
in passing. Forget him before you lose yourself.

hands, tiny fingers
curled into fists on a blue-and-white screen, feet kick out, heart pumps
blood
picture throbbing like an amoeba
on a machine that says everything will be all right
liar. cold, bone-
dry, bone needles digging their cold way
out, flesh sliding off in passage
too young to meet its brand-new
world. Forgive me before you lose yourself.

lying, still ticking
in the dark next to your body
damaged flesh sewn whole
damaged flesh, sewn hole, only memory
of the folded skull emerging
from nightmare into reality
screaming stark as it ripped its way
out, proud parents
of a stone-cold
dream

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