Yesterday I posted an interview with Josh Pantalleresco about his book of narrative poetry called Alice Zero. Today, Josh shares a snippet of the book for your enjoyment.
———————————————————-
II
(You are late.)
quiet
can I just sleep?
Dream my dreams
for in them I see…
The loud clanging of the cell
brings me to attention
I am here
I see him and go pale
Ace watches me
his black heart etched on his sleeve
Letting me know
he is in charge
(I want to punch him on the face)
Shhh
he’ll hear us
(I don’t like him looking at us. Do you?)
I shudder
my meal is delivered through the small door
(I wonder what drugs are in here)
I don’t argue any more
some days just blur on by
others are just nightmares
rage and pain and anger
unjoyous madness boils inward
I have to eat the food
I need to drink the water
so what if there are poisons in here
(Lithium gives you nightmares)
It does not!
Oh no!
I said that out loud
he is staring
before long I see the men in white
wearing hearts on their sleeves
carrying needles on their sides
and sticks on their backs
I shouldn’t fight
should be quiet
meek
they’ll go easy on me
(Fuck that.)
But…
(If you won’t fight for you, who will?)
But…
I say no more
the first one tackles me
Eight shoots for my legs
and trips me
the ground feels unyielding
I hit it and struggle to breathe
I am turned onto my stomach
hands bent behind my back
I brace myself for the liquid
dreamless sleep
I hear a voice stop them
halt! She booms
the guards stop
and salute
I gasp
I know that voice
and shudder
(Out of the frying pan. Into the Fucking fire.)
my hair is pulled
blood trickles from my face
I look up and see her
she wears red
her lips painted black
her raven hair braided
her eyes cold and merciless
my jailer
my Queen
she grins at my moment
relishing my torment
she nods
I am swarmed by white
I feel the prick of a needle
and see a shade of crimson
before all goes black.
—————————————————————-
Ooooooh! Did it give you shivers? Here’s the link if you’d like to read more!
Alice Zero
Shawn L. Bird 