out of joint

by Philip Venzke

Somehow,

the dust in my eyes

made your nose bend.

If I winked my left eye,

your nose moved right.

If I winked my right eye

your nose moved left.

And each time

I’d case the joint

you’d ignite your eyes

until I became a slug

hiding from the sun.

Then, you had your clan

encircle me.

Their teeth bearded red.

Circumscribed,

my heart turned to wax

then melted

and dripped into my legs.

I tried to hide from you

by removing my limbs,

but I was still detectable.

Flaming tongues

shot from your mouth.

They perforated my skin.

Finally,

to blow this pitiful joint,

I fused into water

and escaped

down the drain.

*Originally published at The Argyle Literary Magazine.

Photo of Philip Venzke

BIO: Philip Venzke grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin.  His poetry is widely published in magazines throughout the U.S. and Europe.  His chapbook “Chant to Save the World” was a winner of The James Tate International 2021 Poetry Prize (published July 2022 by SurVision Books, Ireland).  His poems also appear in “Contemporary Surrealist and Magical Realist Poetry (an International Anthology)” edited by Jonas Zdanys, Lamar University Press, 2022.  His second chapbook “Rules to Change the World” was published by Finishing Line Press in November 2023.  His third chapbook "The Chronicles of Little Zero" was published in August 2024 by Alien Buddha Press.  His fourth chapbook "Song of the Empty Hand" is anticipated to be published in April 2025 by Anxiety Press.  And his fifth chapbook "Abandoned Barn" is anticipated to be published by Kelsay Books in June 2025.