appealing

The Maynard
Fall 2017

Jasmine Sky

Ecstasy Like Water to Soften Leather

I tried to work the belt he choked me with
into the shape of a life. But my wisdom
teeth crowned and told me to follow my
bleeding. I fingered all the stains I’ve left
on lovers’ sheets and thought logic is useless
in love (a true enough balm) until I spit up
the stones that smoothed my stomach.
They told me to stare bare-faced into my
mother’s favourite flower. Deep in
the yellow of a pansy she gave me
the advice she always does, “I don’t
know, do what you like.” And then sprinkled
cinnamon sugar on toast and said,
“Sweets will suture each mauled part.”