Slow Always slow Pour Uncap and let a brown barrel child step into the glass Stop Slow Spoon a droplet of water with a metal finger and let it go. The drop is a clear-tailed comet diving into a muddy lake, only to be suspended by its own gravity. Five minutes and this rock will whisper into a million pieces. these pieces are small tadpoles swimming in every direction, scything the pool into newly fitted slivers. Smell Drag Pull Sinus Hold Once the water loosens the alcohol, the bitter fist will bloom a spiced caramel dipped in floral. There is a bed of vanilla waiting to be dreamt it. Walk into it. Taste Slow Hold gargle Your tongue is church floor. The taste buds are devout disciples, and this single malt is the first prayer of the night. Push, pull, and swirl until the pastor leaves the room. Swallow Hold Punch back Slow Kick Hold Exhale Again
-- Namkyu Oh is a Korean-born New Jersey native currently studying politics and poetry at Princeton University, where he is a member of the Songline Slam Poetry group. His work has been recently featured in publications such as GRAVEL and Crack the Spine.