[Exit poem so in the mouth]

by Megan DeRiemacker
Illustrations by Katie Schumaker

Exit poem so in the mouth 
so hot in the mouth so stuck 
on its staying intent   ours
still beyond fear 
its re-
figuring
the city 
the way we see
the city   figures 
from the vantage 
point. To 
stay utterly 
warm im-
pressed in 
cheek I’d
open 
to the di-
lating day 
re-
versing
knot 
to say 
a word 
a sur-
face
of lips 
un-
raveling 
scare
of tongue so
advantageous  
so
un-
forgiving.