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Russian New Year with Gurdjieff
She insists she feels better
but after she runs
up the long staircase
to her first floor bedroom
quickly without
holding the banister
Katherine collapses.
Moonlight catches
blood from her mouth
like flickers of fire –
hand to her lips, she coughs –
bright arterial flames
gush from her lungs
I believe …
She burns with heat,
fever, drags each breath
through bubbles; her whole chest
boils, constricted, she feels
nothing can expand,
her heart must crack
I believe … I am going …
Helpless
her fine privacy invaded
viscose blaze
burning through her fingers
there is no more
famous author
just a frightened child
eyes wide
… to die …
