three poems

by Edward Lee

TO CEASE REGRETTING MY VOICE

I will break the knot

of my guts, use fist

instead of fingers,

until my insides

are loose and free

and cease keeping me awake all night

with threats of diarrhea

and infection, just because

I gave an opinion

to the gods of nothing,

their anger a bitter wind

that makes my eyes water

and guts tighten as though

I am soon to birth

all that is wrong with me.

THIS REGRET

Regret is just

a faster way

to rot a heart,

close off its chambers,

severe its veins.

Regret is a poison

born of putridness,

staining all it brushes against,

turning bright eyes

dark, taking hope

and calling it failure.

A BITTER DAY AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT

The peanut gallery

is whispering insults

before I even put pen

to paper.

Ridiculously unfair,

at least wait

until I give you something

to piss on,

before mocking me

in words you believe

I don't understand.

Photo of Edward Lee

BIO: Edward Lee's poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen, The Blue Nib and Poetry Wales. His poetry collections include A Foetal Heart, Bones Speaking With Hard Tongues, To Touch The Sky And Never Know The Ground Again and The Heart As Dust Lost In The Wind.

He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Orson Carroll, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy.

His blog/website can be found at https://edwardmlee.wordpress.com