recent reality repast
today becomes midwife to dreams
through inverse osmosis
converting weapons
of mass dysfunction
num
(burrs)
on his soul rip
a million bits of bone and flesh
like barnacles that
attach themselves
to a crucifix of self-pity
while a choking piano
partners with anorexic violins
attempting to breach his
fortress of shame
lived
backwards
is
devil
and me
looking up at the ground
James Kowalczyk was born and raised in Brooklyn but now lives in Northern California with his wife, two daughters, and four cats. His work has been published in print as well as online. He teaches English at both the high school and college levels.