NIN Ode
for Trent
My hat tipping.
Your score was
the only thing
between
my neck
and
a paring knife,
once.
A suspension bridge
and
the results I couldn’t stomach
from google.
The failure of my words
for all the other ways,
now.
Oh, to be 20. Spiraling.
Erric Emerson has published a collection of poetry, Counting Days by Reckless Heron Press 2017. His second book, Which Way Is Up? is forthcoming by Coyote Blood Press in 2019. He has published extensively in print and online zines, in anthologies, and as features. He served as Poetry Editor and as a founding member of Duende and currently reviews poetry for Aji . He received his BFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. He also paints weird shit. His collections, notable poems, and paintings can be found at erricemerson.com