A patchwork of bricks undulate in smog
the houses and inns connected by arteries of alleys
Walls sag like tired frogs sat in grime and bulge from years of swallowing
In between the amphibious buildings that eat people whole is a man a cobalt dragonfly
his hood up a hole and no face sleeves connected at a chest no outline of legs when he glides
A rag child said two claret dots inhabit the dragonfly’s shroud
This the only statement that was said aloud but whispers chatter in cupped palms and over drinks
since shutters sealed when patrons leave as a weary bird calls and light wheezes through sky
In the darkest blue speckled with stars streets are glossed black and cherry
as human-flies pop no fists connected or intoxicated braying just echoes of thick snoring
In the grey when fish fill noses port stains dry on the road tasting like rusted pig salt
Investigators finger the outlines squatting in corners writing a profile on bleached yellow paper
Children push at thighs to spot guts but there are no gizzards no sliced hands or spoiling innards
just a spattering of puddles saturated in stonework crannies that insects stick to like seeds in jam
No victims just a switch of people to pools on mouldy cobbles
The Blue Emperor flutters on a headline before being washed down gutters
Handymen scrub watching every seagull shadow stains not cleaned just passed to skin
The thin and sick vagabonds that don’t know tricks chant and pray in warped corners
Ankles poised to kick a bolted hatch when the dragonfly hovers and silk flows
On a pub door fingernails dig and oak is scratched and split
Watch at two for a dragonfly
If it stops in front say goodbye
To loved ones embrace and sound a bell
The Blue Emperor is where you dwell
Pray Pray Pray
and a good sea wind to take his wings away
The Blue Emperor by performance poet Ziggy Dicks (welcome to the island, Ziggy!)
Art by Tom Brown