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the ritual disconnect

dirt on the palms yields to automated controls

never fallow, never alone

row by row, shoulder to shoulder

hand on the knife, hand on the throat

to triggers and buttons chutes and spatters

battery, pen and trough

pointless, painless

shrink wrapped and sold

the market’s always open

without seasons, without patience

tetracycline and ammonia for endless expansion

a proliferation of cells and organs

patented lives