The stranger, anglefaced
in anger, tastes repayment
from flesh polished off
a waist swallowing itself

An upsidedown frown
on more forehead chins
hungers under fingers
wormtipped at both ends

Round as Ouroboros, arms
ravening earlobes invoke
lukewarm ravioli cans
as mirrors of the soul

Never roll eyes over
that misshapen shoulder,
thumbstruck hitchhiker:
the omega wolf is gaining

Any escape on shrunken
dachshund hamhock legs
sidles sideways, vanishing
into the second dimension









Steven D. Schroeder's writing has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Verse, Beloit Poetry Journal, Pleiades, The Southeast Review, Court Green, Natural Bridge, and Verse Daily. He edits the online poetry journal Anti-, works as a Certified Professional Resume Writer, and splits his time between St. Louis and Colorado Springs.