scab country, this; coagulatedfrom the fall, the bleed; picked apart, flickedso new underneath it won’t match can’t; scarlike bleach on jeans, like knuckle clean through glassbruise can yellow over, recolor; even bone connects againbut scab, loud across, ridged; flash of red & browncrust, leaves white scar to take the stagestubborn as an anthemthis scab country coagulates again downyour back, your legs; neck to toe like sweat, like nudein sun-searing field, railroad track, reserve, army, asphalthighway; a small hand grows out, a starthe belt a banner firm against the lapwhere do we end up, us all? peroxide fizzes plugsthe cut; we’ll watch it again soon enough, anotherday: new flesh bloomed open, waiting, crusted then cured.a bald protected, predatory bird.
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Image by John Collins from Pixabay