our experiments in the production of phonemes were abortive
the creams would not adhere to our tongues
our teeth cracked in the heat

when we tried to pronounce her name

                        our throats felt the mother’s claw

so the first monsters were denied their birth

                                    after the virus

               it was raining always raining

                        our growls luxuriated in the soil

                                  sent out roots

…

James Knight is an experimental poet and digital artist. His books include Void Voices (Hesterglock Press), Self Portrait by Night (Sampson Low) and Chimera (Penteract Press). Website: thebirdking.com. Twitter: twitter.com/badbadpoet