Megan Alpert Alecto: Return I wish I could tell you I climbed those killing bluffs of black rocks scarved with snow only to bring back something we could live on that I took the elements I had : love, coercion, lies, fear as if they were mere igneous stones and forged them into shapes that I could use Instead I hid kept pelts of animals dried blood boric acid his voice clattering to the cave floor as crystals I examined for faults visible breath of silica held them as protection against believing what I now believe * When I was nearly starved I called to the only creatures who could hear my voice sometimes noses pointed toward my scent they approached sometimes thrown rocks made them dash and scatter I spent a year like this : alone then visited then alone * Into the fire that blazes and engulfs : sex with sudden force, love, compulsion, fear and the violence itself until my arms spread black-feathered and talons flare When I am a person again I will descend the switchback trail a blurred shape then clear
Crab Orchard Review
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