Friday, May 11, 2012

Out of tune


by Brigita Orel
 
The cracking of her body doesn’t stop
the music in it
the fugue with notes set out darkly
against her pale skin
 
Her navel a trumpet’s wail
Echoed in the clavichord sounds of her
Broken ribs
 
Lunate, capitate, hamate,
pisiform
an orchestra of cacophony
directed by his assertive wrist on hers
 
her belly and hips add a tone
of a purple-grey fado de Leukitanea
to the jarring tune
 
that cries to the audience to listen
and remember the heartbeat
once it stops – – –

Published with permission.

First published in  Rose & Thorn magazine  (2010)