Inferno in Harlem

by Farrah Sarafa | 2009

Projects in black, monsters release back
toxic fumes
That moved love to become
in the first place

Interrupting lovemaking,
Lucifer resumes
Without forsaking
the will to frighten, the will come

Men, barelegged stepladder
to escape,
Obese women are trapped
in the fire

Spectators so curious
extract mind-shapes.
Injurious,
mean waves, moon-pulled and gravity-trapped,

possessive tongue, pasts eloquently sung
popping glass
fingertips hard crackle
burnt-electric,

Persons sing loud their fears.
Silver and brass
alchemistic
tragedy circulates acoustically.

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