Atrocity

by Allan Peterson

 

When I wiped my blood on the deck rail
the horse fly was a smudge
though I had provided it every advantage
my general slowness
and my willingness to be distracted
what with your nipple
transfixing me When it comes to atrocity
or love I can seldom sneak up on anything
I linger I hesitate I give generously

 

© 2006 Allan Peterson

Allan Peterson's manuscript All the Lavish in Common won the 2005 Juniper Prize and is forthcoming from University of Massachusetts Press in April 2006. An earlier book, Anonymous Or won the Defined Providence Press competition and was published in 2002. Recent print and online appearances include: Prairie Schooner, West Wind, Bellingham Review, Natural Bridge, Perihelion, Stickman Review, Marlboro Review, Tar Wolf. A free downloadable chapbook, "Any Given Moment," is available from www.righthandpointing.com.