He carves shame into womanflesh
Bits of blood and bone hang from notches in his belt
He slides the snake stained scarlet from his hips
Brandishing a mace in battle
He moves his fingers over pages and
rips truth from the spine
He glues his desires in its place,
bending the story to his will
He builds walls with words
He kisses cloth spangled with
patriotism,
stained with a destiny not so manifest
after all
Phoebe Woofter (she/they) is an outdoorsy Portlander who graduates from University of San Diego with a degree in English this May. Her work has appeared in Human/Kind Journal, Vamp Cat Magazine, Headline Poets and Press, and College Magazine.
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