Featured Poet


Bob Bradshaw

( California )



_________________________




Edvard Munch. The Hand.

My left hand lies here on the table,
hideously deformed. 
A bullet split the middle finger. 
 
I had rushed to Tulla’s side. A friend
had warned me that she was suicidal,
addicted to morphine.
She was waving a pistol,
sobbing. 
 
And this is my reward for trying
to save her life. 
Everywhere my hand draws stares.
 
I foxhole it in my coat pocket,
but its ugly bulge
follows me, as loyal
as a scar
 
or a woman’s treachery.
 
Now the only companion I trust
is this bottle of green liquor.
Here in the cafe I slip my botched hand
beneath the table. 
 
But everyone knows it’s there.
Everywhere I go people stare
as if it had strangled someone. 
 
It’s like an assassin pursued
by a witness’ scream. 




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