The Devil's Spine

The Devil’s Spine

Black lump    spasms.      Wring out the stench      breath again.
Say Goodbye.
Say it again      so it penetrates the core.
Deeper now      this black weight sinks
stays.      I can forget      what was real
to the body      but not      to the soul
which remembers we crossed
the putrid—trickling water
to dig holes into the soft
sand      with our bodies.
Years ago when a winding
road meant freedom.
Scream loud               
to scare the spectral
visions fading past
speeding ahead
at each bend
farther
faster
than any mind can follow.
Your voice equals pain.          No
I don’t want to talk.    Can’t you hear it?
the tears pooling?
They burn--singe edges.    My eyes
leak acid.
Acid
eating
heart
muscles
Inside 
out. 
I refuse
to let the tears
restore the ground     
before you.
Let the stillness gather.
Stagnate.
Mosquitos flock
in droves
Suck
the putrid
pain away.