artwork: ralph murre
Common
Ground
by
Pat Tompkins
We
are mineral matter
calcium
and sodium
refined
into metals
precious
and base:
tin
ears and lead feet,
hearts
of gold and silver tongues.
An
iron stomach and nerves of steel
add
to our mettle, tempered
by
liquid: sweat, blood, and bile.
Ice
in veins and watery eyes.
This
malleable essence reigns
over
bronze-skinned vessels,
which
tarnish or rust, alkali
and
earth, returning to dust.
~
originally appeared in flashquake
