A Cracked Shell by Bogdan Dragos

“Lack of love,” she once told him, “can turn

a man into a cracked shell. Turn

his steps into rotten

butterfly wings falling. Turn his

breath into ether. His heart into a sick slug

struggling to escape a haunted bog.”

Sure, sure

but then again his parents told him

long ago when he was a child

that if he kept making ugly faces

he’ll remain like that forever

Well, now his parents weren’t here

and she wasn’t here

He was all alone

with his cat who gently licked at its genitals

besides him on the other pillow

Other than the cat’s saliva

breaking apart in contact with its fur

and skin

there was no sound in the room

it was all so peaceful

There was a gentle drizzle outside

just enough to keep people

and noisy children off the streets

It was perfect

Had she been here