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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “How to Become an Octopus” Down in the Dirt, v200 (10/22) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Paths Less Traveled the Down in the Dirt September-December 2022 issues collection book		get the 422 page September-December 2022 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Drawing In

Ian Mullins

There’s nothing left;
just flesh and bones, hair and teeth,
and none of those will pin
a breath to a throat that needs
to close up; sees no good reason
to draw such air again.

And who are we to tell her
no, you must go on breathing
poisoned breath, never lay down
a life that is nothing more
than the last shot fired at the siege.
You must do it for yourself
or we will do it for you,
hook you up to a miraculous
machine. When the bank-job’s on
and the shooters start popping,
no one’s too proud to drop
to their knees and beg.

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