Portrait of Penelope in Charcoal

2016
letterpress and mica on paper
11 × 14 inches
edition of 16

drag soot, the first line high
parallel the ceiling & another left to right
let your wrist pull whispers of
scumble from ear to ear
stretch taut the next
gesture earnest perfect
your contribution to field & country
will free you for marriage childbirth once
the wall is evenly gray

when no one looks, undo.
erase each line, right
to left. suck dust from
the floor and with spit,
press to cake. make
wait against the coving, ready
as dawn wanders up
to check your progress.