first love
Illustration by Anna McDonald
Mother coils
protective arms around
me- kiddo,
your emotions are no small tnt spark.
I kiss her on cheek
and throw my beast to the rose thorns.
A girl who is not
a girl sways-
porous heart gasping on kitchen counter.
Beg. Swallow.
your blood animaling mine.
Peel back garlic and thumb
clove. grasp
knife. press
till smooth.
thighs part-
and we boil over.