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Beth Woodcome Recovery Life in the middle of her chest, a region Of sweating wood. A misplace sauna. Planks moaning Against each other. But this is only one room. Also, Bliss. That one night, like winter's misdeed of heat. The obsessive tuning of the orchestra. Pass through to the bedroom, everyone insisting She's not sad. Passing out in the bedroom. Also, Bliss. The children who understand snow. The small papercut indicating survival. In the morning the guests have left her smoldering. Workmen on the roof, sooty angels, nearly falling over. They're drilling holes, preparing to hoist her up. Stunt This place is ethylic, drenched. How sick this room is as you move her, in the oddest ways, toward your requests. Sheíll be just dirty enough, you think. You think of her white mouth. An alcohol of milk. She can open you like a new mother. Her dress is nothing over what it covers. Her mouth stays at a constant O, with hints of wanting to lie down. How do you do? How do you do it? Before any thought of getting done, although your fingers race like an office filerís, sheís gone her hasty way. This is how the angry are grown, through devotion. You realize her coldness in your hand. You walk around your room all night, tripping, unable to find your bed. The Near Death of the Mouth One event, like the end, if you believe in that sort of thing. If you can, get over it. Get over as in havenít you noticed your room is empty now, your emptiness is being carried away. Salvation, Keep quiet, cover up. Someoneís coming with a dark walk. This is what always happened. An affair of tongues, your event to keep wrapped in newspaper for the little ones, in the backroom with the rocking-chair, the end of the crib, lead paint. Every room is the backroom. When you enter look for signs of wedding, a box, all of the childrenís first teeth saved. Your event! The one thing you keep. Your children holding their own children, holding your story, door, sex, eyes. Holding your family, left mumbling, needing to be put away. Beth Woodcome work appears or is forthcoming in Columbia Review, Born Magazine, Can We Have Our Ball Back, Web Del Sol Review, and In Posse Review. |
