This World is Ash by Jeff Bagato

What rock wouldn’t scream
when it learns, upon awakening, 
how it used to be human, 
and all that’s left of a soft body
is displaced ash
and the hollow mold of volcanic ire

A banker who died
not clutching coins
but dust and the last breath
of cool fresh air

A gladiator who dropped
his sword and ran for open space
as the armory collapsed,
his lungs burned from the inside
out at a single breath

mothers and children who snatched 
at visions of ropes thrown 
down by unknown hands
to pull them from the scorching blast
and the layers of powder
pressing them down to humble 
address, out of reach
of each other’s comforting arms

a mountain of fire
can kill a city
when it roars,
and all that remains
becomes a landscape
of shattered dreams







A multi-media artist living near Washington, DC, Jeff Bagato produces poetry and prose as well as electronic music, glitch video, sticker art, and pop surrealism paintings. Some of his poetry has appeared in Empty Mirror, Futures Trading, In Between Hangovers, Otoliths, Your One Phone Call, and Zoomoozophone Review. His published books include Savage Magic (poetry), Cthulhu Limericks (poetry), The Toothpick Fairy (fiction), and Dishwasher on Mars (fiction). A blog about his writing and publishing efforts can be found at http://jeffbagato.wordpress.com .