THREE POEMS by JUDE ARMSTRONG
revelation in the shower
leaning towards the edge of the bathtub,
i dip my fingers into the
bottle that reads MAN in deep red.
sometimes, when i run i break into clean straight lines
i spiral into rain, like a beautiful boy
with something to lose.
my hands against coarse hair
the lamp flickering off
i’ll hanging between two sheets
of blue floral wallpaper
banging gently against my wet
and withered skin
here i am breakable
i will shatter and
turn to flowers if you see me.
send gun control and gauze
writers haven’t discovered a word
for the thing taking root in my bones
when i stand in the second floor hallway.
perhaps they know prayer.
prayer can’t save you from this.
one day a gun will be stuck down your throat
at the wrong angle
fear will crawl through you
like a wet and wrong thing
you are cut open and left jagged
you are cradling your hands because they are all you have left
this is your last breath
and all you can taste are your own lungs
you will never be the same
Days on My End
You want me when I’m like this, dressed
in sweaters and rum.
Peel apart my hands and you’ll find
a man I made while sleeping.
He has a chest and forgiveness inside it.
God is my audience because
who else is going to punish me for wanting?
Stripped down to the skin I’m left with
and here’s what I own; an apple and yes
for a body. I can feel you smiling as you
leave. I spin around quickly because I am drunk
and thought I could catch you forgetting
me. Take me and confess. I will crawl to
your back while you put one foot out the door
and the other in my mouth. I remember every
mirror we have shattered and marked
the spots I would have hurt you. One
of the best things I ever told you was that
I am meant to be alone. Rage is a big
house meant for one; me, a man,
and you, my memory. Inside of
everything you are there, reminding
me of who I will return to. So I will fall
asleep in the waiting room.
Nothing ended.
Nothing begun.
Nothing resolved.
Jude Armstrong, a young poet, is the founding editor-in-chief of Verum Literary Press. They have been published or are forthcoming in fifth wheel press, eggplant tears, Block Party Mag, renaissance review, and more.