Purloined

Bits and pieces
were missing
from his body
a missing kidney,
a leg shortened ...

Blood terror
to have parts
of yourself purloined;

As if under a cloak
that covers dimensions,
of one's space and time
leavened in humankind;

To choose very
differently from fathers'
... consider other lifestyles
... other than path's trodden;

Humanist purloiner ...
... appropriate wrongfully
... sabotage trust
to put aside time
and postpone questions;

Fortunes spent
could not support this stint
leaving no trace,
trust funds are pilfered;

As he saw himself disappear
in to himself
his parts were cleared
for transport;

He thought he might
return whole again
one day in some way
spinning faster this time;

In his third escape
with his third hair
and third teeth
and wanton despair

From his third watch
with pain in third vertebra
... third fortune spent
... third family raised.

Blood terror
to have parts
of yourself purloined.



Copyright © 2010-11 Patrick Darnell (circa 2003)