Canto of Weirdoes on the Salt (Eighth Circle, first bolgia, 18)

In the cutting reflection of scald,

where white crystalline plates craze

with weather, they walked naked,

enjoying the cancerous burn.

Whipped up with risk and oddity,

exhibitionist masochistic curiosity,

they copulated: crunch of salt

beneath skin, midgies swarming

out of putrid water almost evaporated.

Their orifices pulsated, lingering.

No return from the hot flush.

This happened. I know them.

Somebody took photographs:

black and white,

retouched.