God you are not afraid to die 
the earth and sky will fall 
but love remains love
after all terror subsides 
even there and after the knife-worked throat
a dark necklace above the clavicle
we are stunned by the city she and i keeping our feet
from nature from knowing
we are alive as 55 million of us die each year 150,000 each day
we are alive bullet holes in the face neck and chest like small ink wells 
we are alive with you over all in and outside us
your generous voice
singing to us
arise 

                                                                 ii.3 

Shann Ray | Atomic Theory 432, ii.4
Contents | Mudlark No. 64 (2018)