TEACH ME HOW TO SCREAM

Teach me how to scream
in the charred-black gloom of an evil first light
while gas-poisoned clouds burp flesh-eating flies
pricked by every needling stitch of death’s seam
Teach me how to scream
while running barefoot across Lucifer’s tongue
through the gagging coal dust that blackens lungs
waist-high in a venomous sea of serpent's cream
Teach me how to scream
chased by dragons with flaming green fangs
stomach twisted in spasms of imp birth pangs
cornered by spiders that spew blood in streams
Teach me how to scream
sinking into quicksand of lice
living once and dying twice
inhaling the noxious orange steam
Teach me how to ssscreeeeeammmmm.