Verbatim

taken. absorbed. ducts and particles. sick with progress. the stern. the arch. a tumble of skin. trembling like butterfly wings. poised to change the world.

her focus. simple locks. open with a stab. her shadow long. as the sun perforates the sky. little stories. the tepid rhythm of wandering corpses. the cold mercies of decision. tall eyes thick with desperation. pretend to blink. while the world goes blind.

arithmetic. additions and subtraction. the numbers inside her. boil and writhe. the future in paper. kindling at best. the past in flames. we wander. naming the lost. like children. we turn the corner. idling time machines with their dials set to zero. revel in the monsters they helped to create.

the chase. swift madmen blame their voices. strangers inside them. digging out the bones. strengthen the tendons. the candy lies that push us. the tyrant of flesh. that perpetuate this war inside. small despots choking on atoms.

the world glistens. drenched in sweat and chains. this prison gasps. choking on its inmates.