Aught, no. 11/12 (2003)

Vanessa Mendicino

                                       standing (in)

                         a river          white

                                         lust covering them

                                                                      (your savage vibrations:

                                                     anti-fashion rhythms

                                                                cause enlightenment,            seeks

                                                                                 amusement)

                smoky blood

         drips                    i

                      smear into milk

             my tongue

                                                                         (drawn out)

                               49 reasons

                                            to scar

               residue lingers into

                                                          indigo spasms

                    (and i fix your manifestation of

                                                a blackmarket baby)

                                                                                   wrapped in Queen’s

                                                                           twilight

                             narcissists confess

             “American Exile Blues”

                                  neurotic

                       erotic

                                                the mouth

                                                       smiles

                                                                                                (sordid beneath my palms)

        a magnolia petal

survive