Breath & Shadow

2007 - Vol. 4, Issue 7

"Nikolai"

written by

Eric Gadzinski

Keep the pint in the paper bag
so the swallow burns
as long as it will—

'til you stumble off
sick and satisfied
or suck air, surprised
there is no more.

The practiced hand
can guess by heft
yet hope at least
for one last gurgle.

Lie, deny,
but never tell,
in the cold kiss,
the falling level
of heaven, hell.

Eric Gadzinski lives in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. His poems have appeared in a variety of small journals. His experience of conditions and disability informs his work.

Back to Issue