Blood of the Martyr

Wires drawn tightly around the fingers until they become

one solid mass separated again by wedges others sawn

in half bound to the framework with thin cords wrapped

three times around the limbs poles inserted between the

boards gradually turned lines enter the skin

slowly drawing the arms together while coughing up

blood both shoulders dislocated removed while the bones

are reset ribs and sternum fractured losing consciousness

bleeding profusely from the amputation of limbs