zurich
whispers
its secrets
to me
like a blue
ghost
baiting me
with lemon slices
as I step
onto the ledge
of the hard glass
of its night sky
suddenly
I am lodged
in the ribcage
of god
and the world
is a red violin
playing shostakovich
just for me
the gyre
has never
tasted
this sweet
I don’t
even notice
when I’m pulled
back into
the room
where joyce’s
death mask
coos at me
from the far wall
now
I am
a pale falcon
with clipped
wings
looking
for a place
to land
so I fold
my body
into a swan
like you taught me
please
place me
on a shelf
next to
mrs dalloway
always bury the dead yourself
whispers
its secrets
to me
like a blue
ghost
baiting me
with lemon slices
as I step
onto the ledge
of the hard glass
of its night sky
suddenly
I am lodged
in the ribcage
of god
and the world
is a red violin
playing shostakovich
just for me
the gyre
has never
tasted
this sweet
I don’t
even notice
when I’m pulled
back into
the room
where joyce’s
death mask
coos at me
from the far wall
now
I am
a pale falcon
with clipped
wings
looking
for a place
to land
so I fold
my body
into a swan
like you taught me
please
place me
on a shelf
next to
mrs dalloway
always bury the dead yourself
Erik Fuhrer is the author of 4 books of poetry, including not human enough for the census (Vegetarian Alcoholic Press, 2019). His 5th book of poetry, in which I take myself hostage, is forthcoming from Spuyten Duyvil Press. Both of these books include images by his partner, and collaborator, Kimberly Androlowicz. More information on these books and others can be found at www.erik-fuhrer.com.