in this world where license owns the city
she is still modest and so she is free
not only art for her model but her eyes on the infinite
 
wounds we bear wounds born in subatomic bodies split 
or better fused to harness more light
no longer against love for love
for when you who are fire put your hand out to her 
she touches you and though you are fire you are also
the body she holds close
and the bear she witnesses whose front claws are four inches in length 
to facilitate climbing digging for food or dismembering carrion 

go tell your beloved God says to my beloved
what he wants to know of everything night windswept cold 
but tell him also of fire 

                                                                 ii.9 

Shann Ray | Atomic Theory 432, ii.10
Contents | Mudlark No. 64 (2018)