"Iron and Marrow"

Iron and marrow.

Thread the spool. Count

three.

Count

two. (ha)

Five

steps on stone.

Three

forward. Two bind.

Bone behind the lattice.

Machine

behind the mind.

(one two three,

one two)

Circle carved in cold alloy.

Blood on the copper wire.

Strike two. Strike two.

Strike three.

We remain. (ha, ha,

ha)

Six counts

swinging.

Three

against

three.

Iron

teeth. (clack, clack)

Turn the axle.

Turn

the marrow.

Break the frame!

Two-two-three,

three-and-two!

(shhh) Alloy and soil.

Alloy and soil.

Never

yield the wheel! (ha!)

Three.

Two. Still. (hiss)