Pocket Talisman
The blade of the flame
flickers reflection on the edge
of the lighter, eternal
incendiary tool. Its red button
on top releases lighter fluid flames.
The wheel with a protective sheath,
the strip of metal against the spur,
and a hole where spark meets liquid:
the forever element levels
cities, forests, and oceans,
black surface ink puddles
like wandering boats floating
and on fire. My hands capture sun’s skin
peelings in the small plastic encasing,
visions of sharks and marlins
across my pocket talisman.
Alexander P. Garza (he/him) is a Mexican-American poet from Houston, TX. His work has appeared in Toyon, Indianapolis Review, Dissections, Star*Line and others. He is a graduate student in the Program for Writers at University of Illinois - Chicago. Visit him on Instagram/Twitter, @alexanderpgarza and http://alexanderpgarza.com.
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