A Foetal Heart

As night folds itself
across the sky,
a strange sound fills the air,
like a dog howling backwards,
or a feline retreating out of heat,
and we lie awake
on the bare mattress,
every possibility narrowed
to this point,
as we search
for the second heart
beating inside you,

the beat that was there yesterday
but seems elusive now;

we keeping searching
and searching, refusing
to stop and admit
what our own hearts,
beating with a pain
which crowds their constricting chambers,
whisper to us,

whisper so fiercely.

Holy Man

His skin has become
broken glass,
jagged edges cutting
the remaining sleep
from his nights,

his days no better,
the sunlight reflected off his skin,
blinding his eyes,
causing him to stumble
into stained-skinned strangers,
his crucified tongue
unable to form words of apology,

unable to speak
at all, even though
he has so much to say,
having looked upon
the face of God
a thousand amens ago.

© Edward Lee

Edward Lee‘s poetry, short stories, non-fiction and photography have been published in magazines in Ireland, England and America, including The Stinging Fly, Skylight 47, Acumen and Smiths Knoll.  His debut poetry collection Playing Poohsticks On Ha’Penny Bridge was published in 2010. He is currently working towards a second collection. He also makes musical noise under the names Ayahuasca Collective, Lewis Milne, Orson Carroll, Blinded Architect, Lego Figures Fighting, and Pale Blond Boy. His Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/edwardleewriter.

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