A Connect-the-Dots Martyr
by Corey Green

The first line shoots from the left hand
—a sinister 1 on a bent back bow. 1 buries
into 2, into Sabastian's inner thigh, piercing a line
that flows from his hip, 3, down to his knees, 4,
the heavy-handed line, a saint's darkest.

5 flies from a scared bowman, awry, ends at 6.
The picture expands. 6, and straight to the bottom
of the page, to 7, the post's place between the them.
Connect 8 to 9 and 10 to 11, drawn from archers
to Sabastian's chest, into his quickening, but defeated lungs.
These lines cross the blood splatters our Artist anticipated—
red already coats his paper ribs.

12 is a point off the page. The executioner faceless.
13 pierces Sabastian's waist.
His faint curse not heard on the page.