Jericho Brown
Tin Man
In my chest a slit of air. Don’t say love.
Drop a penny. I can’t feel a thing. Remember
Cities shine gray. Never believe the color green.
No green is god. I’ve watched color die. I’ve killed it.
And every tree must fall, slicing the air. In my chest
A missing beat. Skip it— Hush, love.
Man made me. Add a little oil, drop one penny,
Pull the lever: I chop. Men made me
So I stop. I am tired of your woods,
Your whole world unpaved, green. Cities shine
The color gray. Don’t you want something heartless?
Can I get you an axe handle for destruction?
Tired of your body? Use mine. Manhandle,
Beat time— I won’t feel one damn thing.