from "Third-Millennium Heart" by Ursula Andkjær Olsen

The will to have no openings, to avoid areas where humiliation and
assault take place.

In terms of the blood stream, not wanting infrastructure, it’s
the same. Sun chariot and moon chariot wheel
at the slightest external touch, transporting bright
shiny humiliations within the corpus and
abracadabra out into every screaming corner.

I use expensive drops: anger’s sweat, tablet, pastille, ointment. Balm. Brew
three bags for a pot of coma.

With a rock I block the cave’s mouth; nobody coming out, nobody coming
in, nothing will resurrect, that name, that knife in the back will

never again slip through my paranoia-carcass.
I will remain unwritten.

The will to have no openings, to avoid areas where humiliation and
assault take place.

In terms of the blood stream, not wanting infrastructure, it’s
the same. Sun chariot and moon chariot wheel
at the slightest external touch, transporting bright
shiny humiliations within the corpus and
abracadabra out into every screaming corner.

I use expensive drops: anger’s sweat, tablet, pastille, ointment. Balm. Brew
three bags for a pot of coma.

With a rock I block the cave’s mouth; nobody coming out, nobody coming
in, nothing will resurrect, that name, that knife in the back will

never again slip through my paranoia-carcass.
I will remain unwritten.

Ursula Andkjær Olsen

Ursula Andkjær Olsen (b. 1970) was born and raised in Copenhagen and made her literary debut in 2000. She has since published eight collections of poetry in addition to several dramatic texts and libretti for operas.

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