called

(an assassin at the assignation)

assigned an occupation

 

(a new corps)

corded uniform

 

foreign

(shrapnel)

 

public private

(a show of wound)

 

my kit is numbly knit

fragged (I am) deployed

 

 

contract

damp

drains

funneling

tunneling

an escapee

expel

the detainee

(i can’t)

incant

(can’t)

incant

grip

(I)

any

way

i can

(i can’t)

effaced

faceless

we

fleshing

out

(i can’t)

incant

(can’t)

descant

turn

turning

refuse

righting

invading hands

blazing

runnel

(i can’t)

(can’t)

rent

asunder

)i(

surrender

she

decamps

 

 

circling

cape a lingual cocoon

ruby threads of bloodlove

needling

silver threads of coldrage

dancing in our fire

unconsumed

 

crooning

my-i-i-i-i loves

my-i-i-i-i doves

 

turned from and turning in turn

from focal point to context we become

 

begat a world

incant

a thousand names

a thousand affections

a thousand escapes

 

unplottable

unpinnable

 

 

asway

aswim

aspinspinspin

 

until there is a sound

a murmur

a hum

a purr

a hymn

for her

radiant rident chimera

  

 

conj(u)gate(s)

reor(i)ented

we (orb)it

each ot(her)

we a(re al)l (she)lls

(she)d of ca(sin)gs

pure (pow)d(er)

 

both ma(lady) and (cur)e

both b(one) and (b)r(oth)

both w(hole) and n(arrow)

both (brew)ster an(d ye)ast

 

r(i)sing

 

s(o de)n(se a)nd sure

we gl(ow l)ike st(ars)

so l(i)ght (we) s(oar)

in (our) palp(able) cape

coax (win)d to (sin)g around (us)

surroun(d us t)hree

shetheeme

cox(swain)s o(f ou)r own (hear)ts

our es(cape)s sails

(she)lls trea(sure)s

sp(read) on sh(or)es

conscio(us) s(and)s a(vow)

our fir(ma)(me)nt

r(anger)s of our own (wild)ernesses

a(we)so(me) our

(heli)cal he(art)s

(parent)hetical w(om)bs

sav(i)ors

 

Sarah Yake resides, reads, writes (and represents) in suburban Philadelphia.