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i. i beg you
by Richard Paez
all skin is canvas for you
flesh is moist and willing clay
point dagger-fingers at me
(and if they dull
use my bones for whetstones)
i have trained in anticipation
of this sacred moment
shaved myself of all diversions
reduced myself to reflex
to heal and bark at your command
help me pray, to stay awake
just long enough to finish this
so that by morning
you may serve me
break your fast
of this well-marinated weight
you carried at such cost
unrestrained i give you
(and in my seasoned vulnerability revel
as i spread myself before you)
i beg you:
paint your newly sharpened touch across me
leave your burning, bleeding mark upon me
make me your prime example
of a(n in)completed man
and when gnawing your way
through my imperfections
by chance you chip a tooth
i beg you:
let me implement your loss
this sacred gift the perfect tool
to separate gristle and fat
from moist and tender flesh
to return to you
what you selflessly gave to me
help me pray, to stay awake
just long enough to finish
so that by morning
you may serve me
cold and carved
at long last
break your fast 06/01/2003 Posted on 06/01/2003
Copyright © 2026 Richard Paez
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 06/03/03 at 12:18 PM Your images always amaze me... this is dark, sensual and raw... I love the way you've taken the word "breakfast" and shown how it is compunded... then use that to create other ways of breaking a fast. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 06/05/03 at 04:28 PM Whether its implication good or bad, witty evocative writing just the same. |
| Posted by Jason Wardell on 08/24/03 at 03:00 AM So very raw, dark, and, above all, emotional. These words have a passion behind them that's rarely seen. This is a great piece, I look forward to reading more. |
| Posted by Don Coffman on 08/30/03 at 02:07 AM You've created some incredible poetry here, rich with deep emotion that can be shared vividly. The form is impeccable, 'of a(n in)completed man' is a particularly creative expression. |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 03/12/04 at 10:50 PM damn... this is multi-leveled... this is pain, this is sacrifice, this is deeper than the land that lives beneath the couch cushions... sado/masochistic in it's pleading, yet controlling manner... another "thunder"-filled poem from you... this line: "of a(n in)completed man" is legendary in it's creativity... brutally honest, laying wrists out to be bandaged or ripped... brilliant... blessings... |
| Posted by Kristine Briese on 04/13/04 at 10:44 PM Oh, exquisite; full of beautiful, physical images. "all skin is canvas for you" -- amazing opening line that does flawlessly what can be (for me) the hardest part of writing a poem: to claim and keep the reader so completely enthralled. Genius, and beautiful. |
| Posted by Ava Blu on 12/07/04 at 02:37 AM Wow. It is ironic how we want/hate pain. I like this one a lot. |
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