Stained glass coffins
Crystalline mosquitoes
Death that masquerades
        in silken flags and floras

Graffiti of red and violet light
Sirens kiss the bullets
As they scatter them
To burn holes in sepia dreams
        Watercolor ghosts

Languorous beauties
Casting out wildflower candy
Attics that hide under strawberry dust and lemons
Melting into mildew
        Layers of ash in the belly

“But you told us to swallow!”
Masses of children howl
The pretty ghouls hiss back

By Alex Newman