illicit(9mm)

---

sat.in.cell(behind.my.eye);
rendered.immobile;
voluntarily(captive);
no.97143190;

passed(double.slit);
fibreglassed;
blue.moon(descent);

bound(by.polyester.cuff);
isms.weighing(his.pocket);
suspended(by.her.vision);
slow.sapphire.control—

spectrum.vandalised;
green.inked;
high(on.draft);

gold.leaf(sole.stuck);
ornery;
criminal;
convicted(by.doorway.effect);

cold;
calloused;
blanketed(penitentiary);
phantom.warmth;

back.against(neural.tissue);
collarbone.catch(tear.water);
blurred.lines(indifference);

mind.litters(repugnant.mantras);
unbuttoning(my.name);
surgical(precision);
teeth.&.tenderness;

lash.veil(protects.from.burn);
single.fibre(in.your.throat);
you(don’t.gag);
no.contraband(awareness);

earl.grey(cold.on.nightstand);
relic(of.effort);

i.stain.him(pinot.red);
conceal.ash(on.his.tongue);
let.him.suck(on.ice&praise);
starving(softness);

parole(refused);
bail.set(illicit.consciousness);
narrow.bed(lethal);

twist(his.wrist);
anamorphic—
hand(oblivious.to)
where.this.is.going;

i.choose.cleavage(like.instinct);
splitting.wants(jewels);
hand(soap.slipping);

storm.nerve-us;
ruin.kept(quiet);
filed.under(muscle.memory);
annihilated;

blood.moon;
strapped;
9mm;
sweating.asylum;

tell.me
where.i.end;

---

---

[image.credit: New Haven Police Department mugshot(1967), number altered by author]