Red Task

oh heart, to live in these times.
boldly go now, the dark birds;
a small hand on the clock
bullies midnight. I am not strong
without you; like an empty walnut 
shell, this chest. my hand, a rotten
stick. if I speak without you
my consonants like weak glass
shiver. there was a time when 
you were so immense I could not 
contain you. had to tear all the
door frames out of my house.
every last rib had a hinge.
I would open and throw wet
dollops of you to anyone
who passed, to wolves, to cannibals
I had plenty to spare. now I blow
on what remains like a man in
a storm trying to convince a fire. 
we all have work to do, the brazing 
of bones. I claim this red task as mine.
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