the whiskey burned my bones dry (they
were soaked by rain) and
the whistle of many voices stammered
in my ears and cleaned out the rattle
in my head (it was shaking a frantic
rhythm). that rattle was a death
rattle of drenched bones, clicking
clacking against each other (there's my
many wrist bones and my teeth
dancing on my shins) the toy of a small lump
or a baby. or a frightened snake. a rattle
rattle (i'm tired) that keeps me awake
but distracted from other thoughts.