Michael Mc Aloran - Two Poems

Affliction

(flesh stripped bare upon the wheel in the
unforgiving desert...)

the dry tongue curled around the pared bone
the night is whispering in through your gilded voice
the winter rains grate upon the flesh like blades of steel
shadowy essence the scuttling breath breathes nectar
into the veins of gnarled black trees

(my laughter
my laughter)

shadow upon shadow upon shadow upon breath
the frost shimmers in the chemical light
the flames claw at the heels as they flee into the beyond
where absence licks at the terminal wounds
where the fingernails are strewn like crushed silhouettes
where death is an inadequate answer to the affliction



Winter Leaves

the scarlet knowledge
the frozen bones
desolate winds that capture the breath

I vomit fresh-birthed upon rotten flowers
infinite defeat
the stars long for nothingness
existence torn sheets to staunch the wounds

to ooze, rather than breath
the silence marred by useless anguish

disgust traces the joy of kicking up winter leaves
the finality in the breeze scraping at the
naked fleshless

the discordant light

I-fucking the sun



Michael Mc Aloran was Belfast born, (1976), his family moved to the south of Ireland due to 'The Troubles'. He has traveled extensively in Europe, living for brief spells in both Holland & Italy. He has been writing poetry for almost a decade, but only since the spring of this year has begun to submit. His work has appeared / is forthcoming in the following: Poetry Monthly International (U.K), The Delinquent (U.K), The Recusant (U.K), The Gloom Cupboard, The Plebian Rag, Counterexample Poetics, Full of Crow, Writing Raw, Why Vandalism?, Calliope Nerve & Origami Condom. He also likes to entertain himself with paint, cigarettes & alcohol...