Saturday, May 16, 2009

379. INTESTINAL FORTITUDE

INTESTINAL FORTITUDE
They did it twice : cutting the cat's eyes
wide open over blazing coals. And then
stripping the flesh from the bones, tearing
slowly, pulling it back. Like witches or
shamans seeking omens and portents, they
approached the task in the utmost manner.
Secret words and things only muttered.
By morning, the flames had all died down -
there was nothing left but embers and dust, ash
and bones, the gruesome pain and all those moans.

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