E: Rhombus - first born

Rhombus - First Born

Once, the shackles burst
just long enough
for him to take control,
forcing the meek into action
and rhombus plants his foot
firmly in the door

The painful birth,
a psychological caesarean
lasts only two days
before, captured and tied
rhombus is returned
to the oubliette.

But now, in the darkness
amid the sound of dripping urine
and the lapping of rats swimming
in the fetid water around his waist
rhombus can smell a breeze
that speaks of the outside,
of carbon monoxide
and sunsets seen through an ozone haze
and spring rain running
past polystyrene cartons
that once held hamburgers.

He presses his face against the crack
In the rebuilt walls
where the bricks just fail to meet
and again waits his chance,
tasting victory in his memories
of those two days above ground.