Decipher Code Zero ~ Saturday, October 11, 2025

Her blue eyes take no notice of my bag
evade my presence on the train, focus
regards her conversation on the phone

blue eyes, blonde hair, who cares, must a dog beg
left to struggle alone by my family
under the watchful gaze of without cause
every day uncertain as if a fine

exists for being born elsewhere, not here
yes, this political climate, holy
excrement, in my bag, a red ribbon
seen yet unseen, without recognition

tremble as a small man, not tall, the bin
attracts rubbish, this pretentious nation
kills hopes and dreams, her blue eyes, frightened hare
except she takes exception, description

necessarily acts as a mirror
observes the speaker and reflects their mind

nothing but a clear bag, pain in my shin
old shoes to run distance down the blue line
take a moment to breathe, drink at the bar
ink from an octopus, now in demand
call mom, talks for a minute, says goodbye
every runner follows along the lane

only until the end of the race, lunch
follows breakfast after a marathon

muscle cramps, lack of sleep, hang off a branch
yes, half-starved, eating disorder, too thin

bib, singlet, safety pins, to tie a bow
anxiety and exhaustion, a bug
going around before the race, bog rot