Poems

The Painting

by Martin Higareda

The painting
looms closer with every tortured moment--
I want to laugh, laugh out loud,
to see you there, gasping, soaking wet
staring at the painting
cursing, gnashing your teeth, hating the thing,
nailed to the mantel, chained to your gaze
this thing that has trailed you, gibbering,
your whole life