liturgy II()

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slow_resonance(of.deep_bell);
splits(me.in.nave);

wingless;
skin.pared_back;
barbed_wire(at.my.jaw)—
tightening(whenever.i.speak);

i.try(gospel.on)
to.resemble(congregation);
hands.fastened(in.velcro)—
tearing(when.pulled_away);

absence.echoes;
i.refuse(his.martyrdom);

crown.presses;
thorns(behind.my.eyelids);
light.paints(through.stained_glass);
wound.learns(new_scent);

i.wear(relic.of.dead_men)—
borrowed.sanctity;
skeleton.trusted(with.fragile);
knuckles_counting.vertebrae;
seamless.fit;
my.stomach.knots
at.root(of.wanting);

you.utter(my.name);
melting.border
(between.your_fracture && mine);
offering(wrists
behind.your.eyes)—
invitation(to.surrender);

perfect;
pliant;
parasitic.me;

hear(me.scrape
across.chancel);
knees.bruised;
mouth.starved(of.softness);
coughing(feathers);
refusing(erasure);

for.weeks
i.bled(wine);
carried(debris
in.both.pockets);
remorse.misplaced;

mouth.sealed(by.its.own.scream);
madness.multiplying(softly);

splintered.pew(planks);
set.alight(signal_fire)
so.you.know
where.not.to(kneel);

i.starve(my.chest.with.devotion);
i.burn(my.fingertips.religiously);

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[image.credit: Frank Horvat, Paris 1968]