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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Carol Rumens

Poem of the week: Pilgrim Bell by Kaveh Akbar

An Asian hornet’s nest.
‘Curious menace./ Like a hornet’s nest buzzing./ On a plane’s wing.’ … the nest of Asian hornets. Photograph: Abaca Press/Alamy

Pilgrim Bell

My savior has powers and he needs.
To be convinced to use them.
Up until now he has been.
A no-call no-show. Curious menace.
Like a hornet’s nest buzzing.
On a plane’s wing. Savior. Younger than.
I pretend to be. Almost everyone is.
Younger than I pretend to be. I am a threat.
Even in my joy. Like a cat who. Playing kills.
A mouse and tongues.
It back to life. The cat lives.
Somewhere between wonder.
And shame. I live in a great mosque.
Built on top of a flagpole.
Whatever happens happens.
Loudly. All day I hammer the distance.
Between earth and me.
Into faith. Blue light pulls in through.
The long crack in my wall. Braids.
Into a net. The difference between.
A real voice and the other kind.
The way its air vibrates.
Through you. The way air.
Vibrates. The violence.
In your middle ear.

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