The following poem was written by Nathan F. Elmore

With special thanks to mezcal. I certainly didn’t find you.

Eight to twelve years, depending—
a hand
suddenly a blade
the heart stripped
every fire a thirst

In Joseph’s hell
Abraham’s sticks
three nights’ worth
chemicals fight, sight unseen
conversion as yearning

The smoke clears
the heart’s pain turns
a wheel, a stone
a donkey playing Sisyphus
every part (crushed)

Yeast like Rome
blows, builds
nothing in a day
fiber-juice floating
history’s wooden vats

Drip by drip
myths and mouths wide-eyed
the heart distilled
going down, coming up
every magic a struggle

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