Knife with Red Shaft

(by Mieczyslaw Jastrun. Translated Dzvinia Orlowsky & Jeff Friedman)

Don’t lose focus—
Put it back in the bottom drawer!
It drives with a sudden twist
through the hand
held in air,
then turns toward the breast.
And from the hand, falls
and falls
pulled by gravity.

Hand—compelled to strike—
do you need an angel?