. . . manifest

defunct
list of
common
names
proxy
for the
bearer

nor’wester
buffets gear
reach
into our
canisters

“Cassirer”
drawn and
sewn into
my lapels
assembly of
illegal men
peril will
not know

two
Roman
slaves rain
the rage
passes
through our
teeth into
interior
pneumatic
doors

my evening
of moniker
stamped
upon boxes
of envelopes

blank
ledger
for you
“Macquin”
with tin
and amber
stockpiled
you prince

Copyright Credit: Stacy Szymaszek, “. . . manifest” from Emptied of All Ships. Copyright © 2005 by Stacy Szymaszek. Reprinted by permission of Litmus Press.
Source: Emptied of All Ships (Litmus Press, 2005)