white blades of light sift through the
stripes hugging the crumpled form
of an empire of
stars crowded together
for warmth
row upon row upon row
sow the earth with shades of
beaten red beaten blue
stars
the greedy glow of the pipe
stars
fireflies comb that brain straight
stars
taper out in twin coal kill pits
stars
gasp the whistles shot forth from
sisters supple necks played like bricks
spittle
saluting
dangling
in stars
though you perched in victory towers
freon heavens far above the
Tropics of Cancers
left from your last vacation
left from your last victual
you smell like carrion