Differential Capacities

no narrow tunnels to crawl through. nor perfect faults upon which to perch our questions.

all the obvious nightmares discarded. in favor of more resilient lies.

every question corrupted by unapologetic choices.

the lantern flickers. a promise written in disappearing ink.

we fumble to know these strangers. turning on the cruel equations of hungry skin.

gentle touches belie the monsters within. sweet infections soften their venom.

ostensibly the maze asks us to solve its riddle.


little girls discard their soiled dresses. painted smiles revoke their consent. 

realizing their flesh is a prison from which there is only one escape.