We splay our beatings on empty slates
Taking timely steps
Over the errant and estranged
Who lie on sticky ground
And writhe in irascible excitement

There’s murmurs that hum
In blurry pulsing tone
Through perspiring breeze
They call for departures
Put wrangling cuffs between
And imprint us with filthy identity

We burn until our bones drum
Condemn our ardent tongues
And finally swoon to stoop and serve

Skeletal but radiant in fervor
The guild of survival begs
And tasting the befallen euphoric
They frisk each perk for pardon so

Scream that you hate this flavor
Whisper that you’re on fire
Then wait for the molt
Until what avails laments
And hangs the expired on branches
Of impotence

Until prodded with fallen twigs
We prick ourselves with nettles
And rewrite the world
with our fingertips.