scratching up the dirt

my heart runs marathons. hitchikes through the nighttime. catches lifts in clapped out cars.

I am sparring with jesus. burning my fingers on the steam blowing across the ranges. holding my breath till my lips change from red to purple in imitation of my surrounds.

the soil is damp. leeches under my fingers. scratched into hay. i am thigh deep and recycling decay. i erase the memories of fortune tellers. my perspective flicking like cards. i wax pictorial and wane lyrical. eclipse my expectations as the telephone rings.

with oscillations
with hesitations
manifestations. gestations.

hazards lights a cigerette.
suspicion stubbs it out.