Derek Harper

4–4–3–3–3


Tuberculosis – chest full of fists.
Knife up to the wrist
clotted ending.
Wish I had another way to breathe.

Tonight the air has teeth.
In through the window
room without walls.
Family gathers.

Smothers control failing
consuming consumption
free as stone.

Dis–ease dis–able
declaring dead fairgrounds.
Laughter paralysis – spark to ember.

Words thrown at walls
punch back the letters.
Unscramble remodel and push out.