Inside the maw, two faces

carved deep in stone block

eye riddled by scar tissue

black bead piercing its’ socket.

Struck by lightning – caught

in a leaf of ornate Rio Bec.

eyes turned inward by long dry season

black mask grown over where light empties out

Willing tempests to melt away their enclosure

bring final surrender to the lords of death.

mouth is smudge, incoherent

mouth is cartouche, full of silent vowel