The Craving Of The Flesh Poem by RIC BASTASA

when i write this
i am full, my stomach bloats
i am holding something
inside me
with all restraintand if i do not follow
the law of
expulsion
i may die of this
poison

i must empty
what is here inside
to make me feel well

there is poetry in my head
poetry in my stomach
soon
if i keep them and not let them
go out
i may die

and so here i am
noting this metaphor of expulsion
to let you know
that i cannot stop writing

for health reasons and not
for anything else