物の哀れ

Angela Day

butterfly--

torn wings, vibrant powder
smeared to dullness by too many curious
thumbs,
          pinching and twisting until
                    a rip
                    and
                    blood
blood bubbling and oozing--

smudged wings and the
pulp of an organ
                    stuttering
beneath fractured ribs

mutilated rose-petal wings
          stained in
          crimson and wrinkled under the
          slippery weight of
          salt water tears
limply drooping
                    detached
near bony ankles

torn wings and a bloody heart
and--

                    fall