Why is a grappling hook like a toothbrush?
Why is a chrysanthemum like a hand
grenade? Why is my beating heart
like the surprise in your voice? Why

is a terracotta soldier like the cat on my lap?
Why is a falling knife like the sound of breaking
glass? Why is this stab of lightning
like a peal of glad laughter that splinters

into gnarled fingers clawing against the black
thick curtain of night?

---

originally published in in The Broken Teacup Volume 4.