Fathoms

by Louise Mathias

“Fathoms” was originally published in Issue 07 of Manor House Quarterly: MYTH.

Scott Zieher: Two Views of a Mouth, 2013 | Collage on paper | 20 x 15 in (50.8 x 38.1 cm) | Courtesy Judith Charles Gallery

Maybe to touch it, gently to the throat.
Some flowers have throats—

where do they think they are going?

**

red cave

of the mouth
warm pet
of the mouth

to persist in her
(an address).

**

Dragging me across like a star.
If,

as Borges says,
the magic is severe.

**

Act like a human,
my once-husband said.

We were standing
in our very own shitty kitchen—
my animal

smelling your animal

across 8 states.

**

To speak
of feed & flowers.

Or her muzzle & her fur.
(She can incorporate
all hunters.)

**

Destroyer of mornings,
destroy.

Some years ago now,
some eyes.

Some eyes that obliterate trains.