Jemimah Nulla

my status is revoked
in this new age of small
destiny and distances - i am

required elsewhere:  sufficiency
of mind is
functioning - writing

on another kind of page
a different tale
to call a different

yell the body beached
and planed, gouged,
riveted, horizontal - 

a tall order of
vocation and station
a diminution cannot

stride, the tongue
cleaved to the
mouth the word

silent.  i lay on my back
and side, and watched the
staff tack and tide

bore the pain like a
libation bowl full
of wine

but sour to the
stomach my penance
my guide

previous poem