Arlene Ang: Dangers of Spilled Ink

16 July 2003

Rorsharch bat breaks out
of white-spread card, closes in for the kill:
first puncture into self-possession.

        ”So, what do you see, Mr Pitts?”
        You laugh, suddenly nervous, “A butterfly.”

Bisymmetrical wings clamp over eyes,
clammy blindfold pungent
with mammalian urine.

        ”And in this one?” He is calm.
        You feign boredom, “The same.”

Vermin blot licks side of mouth,
enters to feed on prized tongue
as lips curl back in revulsion.

        ”And now? Mr Pitts? Mr Pitts??!!”
        His impatience makes you falter, “But-ter-fly!”

Vulture bats wing overhead.
Flies buzz in and out cavernous ears.
In the room, a carcass lies in wait.

        ”Still a butterfly?” He sneers.
        ”Yes!” You lunge to devour his tongue.

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Arlene Ang

About Arlene Ang


Arlene Ang is the author of “The Desecration of Doves” (2005), “Secret Love Poems” (Rubicon Press, 2007), and a collaborative book with Valerie Fox, “Bundles of Letters Including A, V and Epsilon” (Texture Press, 2008). Her third full-length collection, “Seeing Birds in Church is a Kind of Adieu” is forthcoming from Cinnamon Press in 2010. She lives in Spinea, Italy where she serves as staff editor for The Pedestal Magazine and Press 1.



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