Noxzema

by Lemmy Ya'akova

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the weight behind my nostril sits
on the back of my tongue and I sneeze. papers
flip between my fingers
Moose sighs in my lap, rests
his head on his predator paw
a mystic bog blankets itself between my vision 
gurgles bubbles to the surface 
the scent speckles itself into the air.
why have you come here now,
to bother me in my place of peace and quiet?
a noxzema alcohol cotton pad burn
I never buy the stuff again and store my butterfly
clips in the container’s stomach 
eyes shut on my face of frowns and sets 
of serious brows. I screw the lid 
closed as tight as it will go;
lissomely skin recovers

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A Michigander gone Chicagoan, Lemmy Ya'akova is a genderfluid poet who is known for writing technology generated poetry called Flarf. They published a zine of Flarf poems called Strong Off The Shelf in 2021. When they’re not writing or reciting poetry, Lemmy is normally obsessing over y2k low culture, eating popcorn and snuggling their overgrown cat, Moose.