far from the beach and its many mouths

the body of a dead bat

skin strung in a cartography of veins
even at dusk flies fuzz its eyes

terrier teeth crescent claws

fur pelt pulled winter close
the evening draws Rothko sheets

over roadkill mannequins

dripping tar and meat stink
the big lake behind

moves its mercury molasses

and moonlight unzips the water
the roost loosens their straitjackets

fox-faced banshee notes

a loping caterwaul in freefall