Burning sleeves reaching
for an empty face,
depths closed to the core
on vines and boxes
letters lightning-struck
the strange staring faces
catching reflections in
a basin of teeth,
towering up from sadness
with a leer of love,
ten fingers on the chopping block,
life-line's tangle of pedantic nurses.

A bubble in the caged water
reaching for electricity.

The constellation's tassle
nicking series of tense foreheads
flame-guarded eyes
arranging a departure
through the body.

Shells float the floor of the earth
and waves cut the rooted platform feet
of blueberry bushes
the shield-backed beetles falling
to patterns that will not salute.