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Samuel Strathman

Body of Fire

It’s hard to find your footing

when you’re surrounded by fire.

 

There are parts of me

that have already been torched.

I don’t need to sacrifice another pound,

riddled map of a man am I.

 

A stranger arrives unannounced,

tells me that I look

like I’ve lived a thousand lives.

 

I breathe smoke,

tell her that I wear my scars

like a monk wears their robes.

Sacrifice me to damnation and I’ll resist!

 

The sage smiles,

takes their leave, unharmed, untainted.

I am engulfed in the flames,

burning bush majestic.

 

Or maybe I’ve been one with the fire

since the beginning,

spreading a warning,

dancing a dire dance.

Samuel Strathman (he/him) is a poet, visual artist, and custodian. Some of his work have appeared or are forthcoming in The Sprawl Mag, Cobra Milk, Prole and other publications.  He is the author of four chapbooks. "In Flocks of Three to Five" was published by Anstruther Press (2020).  "The Incubus" was published by Roaring Junior Press (2020).  “neon imago” was published by Voice Lux Press (2021).  His most recent chapbook, “Holy Static” was published by Frog Hollow Press (2022).  His debut poetry collection, “Omnishambles” is forthcoming with Ice Floe Press (2022).  

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