Something Bright, Then Holes
–Maggie NelsonI used to do this, the self I was
used to do thisthe selves I no longer am
nor understand.Something bright, then holes
is how a girl, newly-sighted, oncedescribed a hand. I reread
your letters, and remembercorrectly: you wanted to eat
through me. Then fall asleepwith your tongue against
an organ, quiet enoughto hear it kick. Learn everything
there is to knowabout loving someone
then walk away, coollyI’m not ashamed
Love is large and monstrousNever again will I be so blind, so ungenerous
O bright snatches of flesh, blueand pink, then four dark furrows, four
funnels, leading into an infinite ditchThe heart, too, is porous;
I lost the water you poured into it
Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash