Tonight's Poet Corner: Chewing Gristle

Chewing Gristle
by Belinda Roddie

Battled Barry was
chewing gristle off a
hunchback bison's toe
hoof, gill,

while blowing bubbles
through a cigarette
that was open on both ends
drooping sadly

over a withered bouquet
of white
tulips drizzled with chocolate
syrup from the

back molars
of Barry's gashed lips
feverishly gnashing for
a shred of meaty attention

not the
fat,
fat,
fat.