by James Ducat

        after Frank O’Hara

You measure distance in scar tissue.
You become concubine in a harassment of lunch trays.
Turn yourself in to the wind.
Cuckoo becomes your salt, your microphone.
You teach others to veil thunder.
You will make the acquaintance of a mannequin in flame.
Find horsehair – tease it.
No manner of shrine (however faceless) can summon.
The dentist loses a tooth: drill.
You are not trapped, you are tethered in air.
A fist thrown cannot be eaten.
This Obedience follows you, concierge to flowers.
Who mimicks the mockingbird collapses into herself.
Your skin, in a handful of skiers.
Expect a flagrant foul.

James Ducat’s work has appeared in Word Riot, Specter Magazine, Inlandia: A Literary Journey, Convergence, and others. He teaches writing in Southern California and wouldn’t have it any other way.