JORDAN BECK

Ashland MFA Alumn

DEBRIS

Among the ambient whine
and highway thunder,

I traced the trunks
with a dizzying eye.

The slope splintered
with decades-old trees. 

I heard the cacophony
of ruin. What would  

it’ve been like
inside the engine, 

the tornado bowl?
A greeting with  

unflinching existence,
to see everything

as freshly broken.
Here, I walk vertical,

on the now fallen.
This is precious,

finite. What do I
know of the phoenix? 

There, I spoke
to god.

__________

JORDAN BECK LIVES IN COLUMBUS, OHIO WHERE HE TEACHES AND WRITES. HE RECEIVED HIS MFA FROM ASHLAND UNIVERSITY IN 2022. HIS WORK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN FATAL FLAW MAGAZINE. FIND HIM ON TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM AT @JAYAYCHBEE WHERE HE SHARES HIS PROCESS OF COMING TO TERMS WITH BEING HUMAN.