ASPHYXIUM ZINE

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Poem: 'The Emperor' by Alison Stone

The Emperor
By Alison Stone

Every life needs edges.
I protect you from the meadow’s
wanton splendor,
passion running amok.

Lean against my law
the way a child lets go
into a father’s arms. Pruned
and tethered vines bear stronger fruit.

Defy me
if the sobbing
of jailed innocents
grows louder than rain.

Kill me
when the names
for animals and sky
replace the animals and sky.

From Ordinary Magic, published by NYQ Books August 29, 2016

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