The demon

"Out of the body

emerges the demon

out of the body

extend

tentacles which

grapple towards the

other body

to suck out glances,

embrace

limbs, quarry entrails,

out of the body

project saliva sperm

sweat-ducts

channels for the

instillation of vaginal

fluids

for the pincers to

open and close, the

joints

to function, and the

otherwise unpaired,

unworldly bodies

to engage like cogs

It’s exactly the same

body

that suckles and

nurtures and restores

some things

and sucks out and

milks and empties

others

and burns up yet

others like a jet of fire

reducing flesh and

bones to ashes

yet without ever

annihilating

memories and

fantasies.

Out of the bodies’

ashes

emerges the demon

again

as painters depicted it

in churches that

haven’t been

completely deserted

the demon with goat’s

legs

forked tongue, red

eyes, snake’s tail

a huge, inflated yet

smooth member

sexless, androgyne

that lurks in all of us

the dog squashed on

the tarmac

its bloody tongue

hanging out

like a red penis after

ejaculation

steaming guts gaping

open

quivering like an

insatiable vulva.

At any moment it may

emerge from within us

fly out of our mouths

with our kisses, our words

our food, our squeals

of pleasure and pain –

the demon we carry

all our years

in a gestation that’s as

endless

and brief as our lives.

At any moment it too

may

break free of us."

Titos Patríkios