Ki Russell

Las Fotos del Éxtasis

                after Dali, with thanks to Mary Jo Bang

The camera never lies so when

you see me spread out

in the corner,

my arm an invitation to

oblivion, surely I am what I seem.

            I am lying here.

            (¿en una cama?)

            I am not.

I took the missionary position

and the sepia wonder of the brothel

faded into the gray scale slipping me

entre las fronteras negras and white skin.

            I am lying.

            (do I mean miento?)

            English is handily oscuro like that.

Your ears surround me like fireflies

and I am obscured by the dark

la sombra de una fotografia sin

flash.

            I am (miento, siempre)

            not.

My eyelashes rest against

my cheeks and then my eyelids

split open and stare at the point

just beyond your temple. Nunca en

suyos.

            I am

            lying.