A day of sun in the islands
Warm salty water flows from toes to nose
a ferry ride, a meal of fresh fish
truly a tropical break from reality—
At night I dream of Hell 

A group of three journalists are expelled
due to their treatment of a politician
Their punishment is enforced burning
to self-inflict fire onto themselves
After they burn a finger, they throw
water on each other from a pail nearby

Prepared as they are for their action
they call out “emergency” 
work on mending
forever scarred 
in hospitals and homes
arms now hidden from the sun
Hopes burro underneath their bubbled skin
Truth crackles from the fire

Next to me dozing fitfully
My spouse later recounts his dream
I had amnesia and people
tried to coax memories outa me

My fingers nose mouth eyes, are certain
here and now, we are
a people—doomed

---