elementia
Hot Blood Underground
By Ayah Abdul-RaufHe is anchored to the cold room’s center
By metallic, unused fetters
Reluctance is his parapet and it’s likely to collapse
He lies amidst rusted traps
He is the first catch.
Choosing to Hurt
By Jessica SutterHe leaves his shoes on the doorstep. Size twelve and a half, wearing through the toes and curling with wrinkles of use. He stopped working at the orchard in November, but red Oklahoma mud still caulks the crevices and holes, stains the laces.
Living Redwood
By Angela ClemA Giant
A Living Freak of Nature
A Redwood.
Tall, upstanding, huge, strong, ancient
At least
2,400 years old
People look at it in wonder.
“Wow! Amazing!” They say
And I agree
But I don’t