NATALIE WILLENS

World upturned,

Foundation unraveled,

Flagrant with iron of my blood

onyx

Charcoal chipped

Smeared on my spine

Deep like oil slicked from a raven’s belly

warrior-

rip through, tear apart, fashion pussies

out of glass, vaseline, and chicken wire.

I heal myself by

plunging deep into water

stretching my limbs fingers toes

I want to be.

Open, wide-armed, mouth parted

Self-touching.

my hair

was like wheat, flaxen you told me.

It was everything

That time I saw you smile at the back of the class.

“Carne” you said,

Her breath was wonderfully

plain.

Like hot cereal

or water.

I remember the eucalyptus entering my lungs,

the heat rising on my chest

as you placed a washcloth, and whispered songs into my ribs