SPINAL TAP

an unmined gem inside my surging mortal coil

irradiates me

like an unsettled green jade pearl

residing inside a carefully cut ice sculpture oyster

mineral vein pathways of unrequited love

etched into translucent ice ripples

wind themselves quietly around my collapsing spine

well-traveled rusted blood ribbons of anger

transport rivers of shimmering glacial remorse

up to the clouded bark husk of my body

blistering rapidly from the inside

the hellfire velocity of your elusive liquid nitrogen fidelity

brands itself onto the surface of my skin

with your frozen name on my broken heart tattoo