Stylus

          I scatter my enemies
as my god told    me
tho’ not my   natural
inclination I’d rather
leave them    on mu-
te, erase their stupid
faces & srsly escape
up to the  mountains
that cares zip    who
wins (the main goal
o’ mine enemies  to
beat me) since     all
lose to mt’s in  such
category as  majesty
beauty, height & uh
immanent dominion
I’ll climb     winded
as hell   concentrate
on my breathe body
& the fragility I can-
not allow the  least
of my foes to   sight
let alone delight   in
ever binding me   to
my shield, my    god.

Love Story in Marine Flags

          I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed,
I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo;
I am maneuvering with difficulty,
I am moving to starboard.

          I have been disabled – please communicate with me;
“I am hauling nets”
I have a pilot on board,
I am altering my course.

          Keep well clear of me – I am on fire.
Keep clear of me – I am engaged.

          I wish to communicate with you by: arms;
my vessel is stopped
their nets are caught on something
stop your intentions and watch for my signals.

          I am pulling my anchor behind me.
I require a tug.

Merridawn Duckler is a writer from Portland, Oregon, author of Interstate (dancing girl press, 2019), and Idiom, winner of the Washburn Prize. Recent work in Ninth Letter, Pithead Chapel, Queen Mob’s Tea House, Ibbetson Street Press; fellowships/awards include Yaddo, Southampton Poetry Conference, Poets on the Coast, Dorset Writers Colony. She’s an editor at Narrative and at the philosophy journal Evental Aesthetics.   TWITTER   INSTAGRAM
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