Mark Jackley

Pathological

silence like a weapon gripped
long after the alleged
crime as if a crow bar
metal heft and menace
absorbs the darkness as you
listen for the real
and imagined danger
of the next word

---

Mark Jackley’s poems have appeared in Fifth Wednesday, Sugar House Review, Natural Bridge, and other journals. His most recent book of poetry, Many Suns Will Rise, was published in 2022 by Main Street Rag. He lives in northwestern Virginia.