Issue |
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January |
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a poem by Karl Koweski (1 of 2)
proof
I keep the means
to my self-annihilation
folded in my wallet
between my driver's license
and maxed out credit card
a four-photo totem
snapped in a cramped booth
cornered in a dark bar
specifically for couples
who are married
but not to each other
I slip the strip out often
when I need to remind myself
I'm not unwanted
oversaturated with light
Sera is virtually unrecognizable
misplaced shadows
and darkened sockets
create a golden haloed
death's head of her face
beside her, I am a blank
defined only by the
black slouch hat and mustache
there's a secret here
captured between fleeting lovers
but I can't remember
why I wanted to learn it
I should have disposed
of the photo strip
long before Sera disposed of me
but the proof remains
awaiting the eyes
of the one woman
who has yet to leave me
to my self-annihilation
folded in my wallet
between my driver's license
and maxed out credit card
snapped in a cramped booth
cornered in a dark bar
specifically for couples
who are married
but not to each other
when I need to remind myself
I'm not unwanted
Sera is virtually unrecognizable
misplaced shadows
and darkened sockets
create a golden haloed
death's head of her face
defined only by the
black slouch hat and mustache
captured between fleeting lovers
but I can't remember
why I wanted to learn it
of the photo strip
long before Sera disposed of me
awaiting the eyes
of the one woman
who has yet to leave me