Manny Heilman

A Birth Defined

I've fluttered

like the dust on a helicopter seed

thrown by a child with a shirt too big

for his trousers but not big enough

to hold in all his troubles. His hand is sticky

and covered in the crime of a nose picker's

hobby. It falls on through the hole

in his shirt sleeve. He waves the forearm,

it is his third arm, a third God- he deposited

the seed. Sacrificed, now I've waited.

Like dust waits for a preacher's robe

to sweep the sin from its wretched place,

these marvelous Methodist steps.

I've prayed to not regret the hope

of setting up my life at these holy

doors. Hating the people I've never met.

We have blown through leaves and lines.

Crossed bridges and iron strings.

Passed hand to hand and covered

all this begotten land.

But now the dust has been consumed,

vacuumed, and trapped in a box of mystery.

Not opened by Pandora or any other godly

soul to take pity on the dirty confines

this cityscape only offers to me.

About Manny

Manny Heilman writes fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry. He is a double major at the Ohio State University studying English and Political Science. Manny is finishing his senior year and after graduation he is considering research fellowships and graduate schools. You can find more of his pieces in Outrageous Fortune, Asterism, or follow him on Instagram @penned_by_heilman.