the madman stabbing the river

that is a clot of phlegm in god's spittoon.

not even the hunter returned

to claim the rabbit caught in his trap

now viscid with rotting leaves and lava ants.

ruined by rain the rubber trees pledge

their allegiance to insatiable hungers—

emerald and jaded they talked over

the last rites of the rabbit's agony.

what does death look like? she looks

like the only home. what does it mean

to love? to love is to now everything.

then to love death would mean? yes

it would mean to be at home in the now.

the old men of this village have started

waking up at midnight to tap the rubber

before the dawn pisses on it.

they are hungry, keep an eye out for them

and if they ask, give.

and if they ask once more

give the other eye too.

but if they ask again, then hold your breath

and dream of the madman stabbing the river.

you will be blind by then but at least you will know

that they have left you alone and unharmed.

~ ajay

30/5/2022