In a Bar that Burned Down a Year Ago
For Ben
He tells me that once he crawled through a woman and didn’t realize it until the way back. He tells me that he thought it was a pile of smoldering clothing—that he didn’t think the stick on his air tank was anything other than burning polyester and plastic. He tells me he still smells her when he is alone. He tells me he thought the cracking under his palms was wood—that he didn’t know how easily the frame of her could break. He tells me he only saw what he had done after searching for over an hour. He tells me he gathered what was left and carried her out to the ambulance as if something could be done—that the ambulance driver didn’t know what to do with the remains—didn’t know if a body bag was appropriate at this point. He tells me he can’t smoke cigarettes anymore because he is afraid of becoming like her. He tells me he is afraid his lungs will catch fire and become a doorway.
by Peter Mason
He tells me that once he crawled through a woman and didn’t realize it until the way back. He tells me that he thought it was a pile of smoldering clothing—that he didn’t think the stick on his air tank was anything other than burning polyester and plastic. He tells me he still smells her when he is alone. He tells me he thought the cracking under his palms was wood—that he didn’t know how easily the frame of her could break. He tells me he only saw what he had done after searching for over an hour. He tells me he gathered what was left and carried her out to the ambulance as if something could be done—that the ambulance driver didn’t know what to do with the remains—didn’t know if a body bag was appropriate at this point. He tells me he can’t smoke cigarettes anymore because he is afraid of becoming like her. He tells me he is afraid his lungs will catch fire and become a doorway.
by Peter Mason
Peter Mason is a 21-year-old poet from Rochester, New York. He is currently a SUNY Fredonia undergraduate student studying English Literature and Creative Writing. He has worked as a poetry editor for SUNY Fredonia’s literary magazine, The Trident, and founded the Inn House Review, an online literary magazine. His poetry has also been published by Arcadia Magazine.