The Ear
The Ear
Like a canine embryo in a chemical dye
Like a burst calf's lip
Like snails in wine
Like a bleeding purse
the bitten ear
setting in its blood
on the white stripe
in the middle of the road
the man with the sovvies
cupping his hands
to the gouting cavity
in the side of his head
did not ask the boy for help
doesn't need his towel
or his basin of salty water
*****
The Ear is from my 2007 collection The Boy in The Ring