CREATURES OF THE SWAMP

UNITE

WE HAVE A NEW

HOME

IT IS THE HOARD OF

ARTHUR McGIVENS

[The puddle seethes, secedes, its seed pods lulled.]

HE HAS IT ALL, CREATURES

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

TOENAIL CLIPPINGS

THE CLIPPED TONES OF AN EXASPERATED SCHOOLMISTRESS

[The wind. It runs through their hair like a mother’s fake fingernails.]

SWAMP DENIZENS

NO LONGER

[An owl. An awl. All ululate.]

CAN YOU TASTE THE ACID GASES ON YOUR TONGUES

LIKE HUY FONG SRIRACHA CHILI SAUCE

[Tongues.]

CREATURES OF THE HOARD OF ARTHUR McGIVENS

YOU WILL BE GATHERED

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