Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Philip Hammial

The Authorities

The Authorities

The Authorities

Without arms or legs, they wiggle out of the sea & up onto the beach shouting commands from fish-like mouths, the authorities. “Put your best & bluest eyes in the crinkled scars where our limbs were attached! Hurry up! What are you waiting for? You know the penalty for disobedience.” And so, timid creatures that we are, we do. We always do, always hoping that we haven’t lost the ability to grow new eyes, bluer & better eyes than the ones we give away.
Close

The Authorities

Without arms or legs, they wiggle out of the sea & up onto the beach shouting commands from fish-like mouths, the authorities. “Put your best & bluest eyes in the crinkled scars where our limbs were attached! Hurry up! What are you waiting for? You know the penalty for disobedience.” And so, timid creatures that we are, we do. We always do, always hoping that we haven’t lost the ability to grow new eyes, bluer & better eyes than the ones we give away.

The Authorities

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère