WIDDERSHINS III

Eventually the scars become glitter

on the skin—small stars. The damage

caused by what or who, a journey

into a hidden solar system—night-

mares (spectral horses galloping

through a galaxy of terror). My bed

is placed toward the door under

a crossbeam in the ceiling, crosswise

over the floorboards, in the direction corpses

are carried out—feet first.

The rays of the moon fall across

its sheets—always messed.

Each morning they invite all

spirits to come in and rest.

I would like to sleep now—dream less,

but someone has hung a blackbird’s

right wing on the closet hook

and no matter how I try not

to look at it—I look.

c. slaughter