Published September 16, 2022

Like any girl, I hide a growl beneath my tongue. 

I’m always all weed, all mayhem & untamed animal. 

A rough child—all pocket-knife, wolf-soft in the grass.

A hot curse of bones climbing over crawdads, 

my body a berry hemorrhaging. Nothing 

but hands stained with want. Meadow of briars.

Burning barn. All salt & sweat, all touch & greed. 

All animal on my knees. Not girl, only growl, only fiend. 

An ocean of hunger. Garden held in my hands.