Michael Whalen



21A

21st

entry in

assembly

line stutters

squeaking

neuroclusters      

incorporate

arbitrary

manipulation is

mammalian suitable      

remote

control

boxes may

interface

directly and

with feeling

confused but

strangely euphoric

successfully tested

tubes

and levers

to prevent

regulation        

in this

industry

place

one hand

on the switch

intersperses      

any nodes

in reaction

time

cut costs

in latest

semiconductors

have developed    

diodes

inserted

following 

instructions may

cause shock

in older models

not equipped with

infrared

sensors

have been

recalled

the organs

removed

both limbs

were useless

to disrupt

feedback

the dial

must

remain

to the right

of the bracket

soldered

larynx

distracted

impressions

may leave   

memory

open

eyes

track shifts

time quickly

dissolved flesh

grafts iron

replaces parts

of each segment

numbered according

to principle

features

burst

casings

wires

protrude freely

tangled

nerves

sheathed

in oil

scar

retinas

sputtering

flanges bent

towards short

gasps

grasp at

disturbed

particles

moving in

predictable

patterns

accrue

slowly

slipped

lips

bleeding

into

each

sample spiked

cleats

and trusses

preserve

individual

placement decided

by a series

of specific

connections

were severed

cases

broken

latch

snaps

each finger

cracked

splinters

steel

slivers

under nails

peeled

slit

circular

facing

turbines

combination termed

combustible built

both engines

generally consumed

the heart

and lungs

strung tight

between

beams

shudder

breathing

carefully

patched nerves

wrists and ankles

taped gather

folds along

tears swinging

caught together

slant at angle

to scale

a parallel

circuit

fuses sutured  

to bone stitched

another

specimen altered

saws circling

momentous

growth

become

automatic

images

coalesce

materials

stretched

span slats

tipped resist

interruptions

interpreted

as static

on both

ends

resistance

renamed

as flash

bulbs

burnt

gears

strain

to make

a presence

felt

in flak

and shrapnel

lodged

in legs

shattered

limping

to keep up

forget

you've seen

the wheels

stopped