Descant

I left my heart in the teeth of jumper-cables—
black tongue, superfluous nipples . . .

By The Time I hit the yellow tape—
it was already turning red . . .

Of my fair and alabaster love?
My redundant chains drawn in chalk?

Halfway to the stars I stopped—
turned, spat—it’s too late, baby . . .

Copyright Credit: Tyrone Williams, “Descant” from On Spec. Copyright © 2007 by Tyrone Williams. Reprinted by permission of Omnidawn Publishing.
Source: On Spec (Omnidawn Publishing, 2007)