the river swollen  

like the valves and ventricles  

of my expired heart.  

mosquitoes clumsily flit across the flowing surface  

a kindergarten ballet class,  

moving without rhythm or direction.  

they bite at my exposed flesh  

a tanned, succulent fruit.  

pests, annoyance embodied  

i swat at them and miss.  

let them bite me  

let them poison themselves  

let them fill on the distain and malice,  

the fermented fetterings that restrain  

my wounded spirit.  

let them suck the toxins from my body  

like leeches on a medieval patient.  

finally then will i course freely  

like the water before me  

ever moving  

ever changing  

ever beating  

evermore