Dream

exposure to something terrible, toxic
the skin hardens, cracks, breaks off in pieces
raw, bloody, mucousy
intensely painful
people hide from each other
there is no comfort
i write, and write, with a hand that is turning to jelly
on some odd substance, like strips of tree-bark
not - describing - exactly
more - poeming -
i keep writing - as long as i can -
because -