Certificate I
piece of paper
folded neatly
truth testament
opaque time and place
blurring name
the quick mistake
the product of
hasty withdrawal, easy exit
information printed, scrolled
words to point of fact
telling not very much at all
of progeny
bad acts, soured hands -
no turning back
the surface face of it
smooth, pleasant, sweet
hid the irridescent skin
the cool green marble eyes
veined, not quite the real thing -
no blood flowing -
oh shallow chameleon
your act too long, too hard
had to crack
bad egg
curdling words, all wormy
and turning
your poor shadow
red eyes, sore head
tongue hissing
what you are
whence you came
smelt it then
the rancid skin
the gut turning
squeamish feet
soled on slime
the paper bears names, dates, places -
all clues
to be effaced
previous poem
next poem