// a native song

A Poem by Stephanie W.

say something about us and I'll come back
when the flowers turn brown
when a choir of cacti flex their needles to intercept

I'll come back
when we are leathered, strapped down,
creased with animal memories of past lives.

when river's moonstone bride stands bleached
in the canyons, caked on makeup,
drooping petals.

When every vein bleeds wrong colors,
Fold your hair into mine and
I'll come back when hounding chafes your heels
to pour molten milk between the fur,
splinter at the fox-like brawls,
settle our score face-off, just the scars.

I will not be villainized for
doing what I said I would.
You'll find us there,
one caged eye,
leftover veins
and spores.