like dante, let go,

the hostile one

of crimson and slush,

and build a philosophy

in great pleasures

to heal puffed lips.

in this world,

you have to run

with the blood hounds

in their hot trails

to sniff out a great line.

but it is here

that the heart

must be like a forge

to run the words through

to make them glow.

when they’re hot

they will leave a brand

from a maverick runner

hell bent in a purposeful ring.