Written in November 2023. Titled One Liquor Paradox.

Oily scaled body

synchronized army

stroking cold metal

staining gold sea

burning brown tide

trapped canned and

spread on its side.

Searing black kettle

toasting sterling

gliding glass

stiffened limb

floating free

melancholy string

plucked snatched and

tempted to hide.

Sliding suffering

past midnight mass

smoking towns

stamped council

puncturing key

gripped lost will

rattled slammed and broken decide.

Shrunken air

greasy torn lip

ensnared glare

seeking lethal be

surrendered hand

buried shard

stole scattered and

breath abide.