it lays
on the counter
feeble gasps
mouth
moving incompetently
as the very air itself
is impossible to inhale.

two sudden chops
take off the head
slits
the white belly
open.

practiced motions
rip
the spine out
removing
the organs
to be discarded
on the newspaper
laying
upon the counter.

flayed
splayed
opened
for the world
to mourn
softly
into the vapid spaces
that
dominate reality.

butter sizzles
in the hot pan
garlic
shallots
fresh rosemary and thyme.

the flesh
sears
subcutaneous fat
bubbles.

somewhere
someone
is missing
a loved one.

somewhere
someone
feasts.

of longpig
gamey
and fried
to a golden brown.

of meat
with
a troutlike
texture.