top of page
  • makeswordswork

Oubliette

Updated: Jul 8, 2021



IMAGE: A photo of an underground passage leading to red-lit walls.


I put him in there years ago,

blocked off the windows,

secured the roof.


I couldn’t usually hear his pacing

though I knew that’s what he did -


one day I knew he'd stopped,

settled in a corner.


He makes things down there -

I don't know what -


willing something out of nothing

in the dark.


I don’t know if he marks the days.


I'm careful to bring food and water.

I may be cruel, but I’m not a monster.

There’s a way these things are done.


I don’t go far from here myself.

It feels right somehow,

like keeping a contract,


peaceful:

there’s worse things you could do

with your life.



Writing by ADRIAN SALMON


Artwork by MARILYN JANE

42 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page