Spatchcock the Brain
spatchcock, v: to split open and prepare a bird for grilling
I know a very little.
Enough to straggle
and make fun—
see,
I catch thoughts
like clouds catch
rain, and lose them
in outpours.
In the spots
of interspersed dry,
if I could probe my way
up a deluge, and quiver
twixt the drops
'fore they hit the ground—
that's where I'd ask questions.
Like, What's the language
for emotion and why
can't I learn it?
Where's the cypher?
I catch thoughts
like flowers catch bees.
I know a very, very little,
you know.
I see bees catching flowers,
carrying them off—
and that's forgetting.
I don't remember
what I said.
You know what it is?
It's a thin layer
of Marmite on toast,
the imagination
it takes to swallow,
the question, lingering,
of How do I get better
and less this and more that
and the ways I can go without?
Because I forget
the way a candle goes to smoke—
which is to say, by speaking
forcefully
and too close—
and oh, what's it matter,
when in my bird brain,
I know a very,
very little?
About the Creator
Mackenzie Davis
“When you are describing a shape, or sound, or tint, don’t state the matter plainly, but put it in a hint. And learn to look at all things with a sort of mental squint.” Lewis Carroll
Boycott AI!
Copyright Mackenzie Davis.
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Compelling and original writing
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📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal5 days ago in Resources
Comments (10)
Yay Mackenzie!! Congrats on winning the Somewhere Between Here and There Challenge! I love the dream-like feel of this, kind of like when you're trying to grasp a memory or forgotten word and you know its there but you can't quite grasp it!!
I really struggle with writing and reading free verse, but this one is a great example of how to make it effective Mackenzie. It rambles, but is supposed to, and it's jarring, stop-start, cuts itself off so well- perfectly reflecting the prompt. I like how you showed the idea of thoughts circling back around with the repetition of "I catch" and " I forget". Well done on another win!🏆
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congrats on your win 🎉🎉Great poem!
"I catch thoughts like clouds catch rain, and lose them in outpours." Stunning simile, well done! I could not choose which part of this piece was my favorite. Your writing is beautifully poignant in its brevity. Congratulations!
Wow this was good. Gentle. Like a whisper. A small voice admitting to something. I like that the line that stood out the most, as mabe the loudest part. Was 'I know a very little...' But then the things you noticed became quiet. I found this very fascinating and your writing style is so unique. It makes it easy to pick out as yours and only yours. Congratulations on your first place win in the challenge, Mackenzie 🤗 ❤️ 🎉🎉🎉
Okay, now you *actually* need to update your contributor bio for Paul Stewart's Vocal Compendium (I don't remember what it's actually called, lol). Well done 😎
Damn, Mackenzie. Beautiful. It’s one of those that’s going to stick with me for a while. I wish there was a cypher for emotions for real
So good!
Loving the imagery here ☺