Helena Xiong In the center of the mouth there is only dread and darkness, Then flashing lights. As large ivory molars crushed my body, I drowned in thick liquid and slid down a soft tunnel, Towards my death, a slow agonizing destruction. There was a moment of stillness when I reached the gut; I was a frog in boiling water as enzymes began to tear away my essence. The journey continues. Acid pours down on me from places I will never visit, Acid, bile burned away more of me, Until I am only paste. Before now, I was only a passenger. Then the ileum welcomed me into the larger scheme, Only my soul, however. My corpse was washed down to the eaves of hell. Is this the finale? Is this the lone narration of my life? Woe was I, Born in the center of praise, Discarded by the world as I perish. |