Scott Cumming

POWER MURDER BALLAD

The birds scatter on gunshot wings
slapping and snapping at the branches
as I fire up the circular saw

The pulsing sting
of mutual betrayal
beats in only one of us now

I remember when we had nothing, but
allergy medicine spiked into each of our legs
licking the drip of epinephrene blood from your thigh
falling deeply into the pool of our shared shallow breath
shaking with ecstasy as we elicit final sighs

As I ponder
this daylight decapitation
staring at appendages I once gripped
ravenous for every piece of you

Knowing I am poorer for your death
not just because you never told me
where the money is
But upon realising the wealth of my dearth

I killed our love
with a bathroom fuck
chasing the precipice I reached
between your legs

Now I've killed you too
with heavy heart and deadened soul
I cut through your bones
hearing only our blissful moans

The night descends
The crows shooting back to their perches
My limbs wracked with regret
Wrapping up every piece of you.


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Scott confesses: "The inspiration is mundane compared to the poem. I was given a jump scare by a bird flying out of a tree and immediately afterwards a circular saw started up. That got my twisted mind working and the title came to me first and sealed the deal."

SCOTT CUMMING never considered himself to be a writer until recently, but turns out he has some stuff to say. He has been published at The Daily Drunk, Punk Noir Magazine, Bristol Noir, Fevers of the Mind, Versification, Close to the Bone, and Shotgun Honey. Catch up with all his misdemeanours on Twitter @tummidge.