his mouth of maggots
writhing with rot
lancing languish
in an ulcerative state
of alabaster dismay

the red dust whips
lacerating tendencies
in hues of spite
an indecent rainbow
cascading tepid pains

he is the cactus
prickly in the heat
a safe haven for
predators seeking
easy prey

wrought with knots
indecisive thoughts
in the visitor’s room
of a debtors prison in
indentured solitude