Upside Down

persecuted
do. not. trip.
limbs a tangled blasphemy
shuffle shuffle forward
on grated soles

fireflies
fly into the fire
while the fire’s flight
is adjourned; handcuffed
to the pillars of the earth

where chaos subsides
inferno rules
the self-proclaimed pope
coughs up maggots –
frugal as he is,
he hurries
to fetch a spoon;
digest again.