I came as an eggshell,
will leave as a salamander.
We are primal results
perpetuating time,
broken and healed
to be broken and healed.



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Spinning alone in flat light,
lines bleed across ice.
"Have an apple darlin."
Evening sun comes in an envelope.
Pearly wool upon a lap,
she speaks words like her mommy does.
Raisins cling, pools of milk.
Cinnamon steam.
Pulse, pound against the breastbone.



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Year of unbroken howl
earth streams mud story
splitting fury rush
love breech-birthed and running from
self from inside-out-self

quiet talons clench dead ankles
handfuls of tide
mother-of-pearl in seaweed

"Do roots have bark?"

dirt protects death
I dig to swim.



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I go to bed cold.
Night-sweat dreams,
black ribonned hat,
Chanticlare.
I crave chocolate coins.
In your words:
"the hammock's bend
fits one body."



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Bird cupped in palm
waking the truth before burial

non-word

embedded in trembling walls
I am ocean
ear to a conch shell.



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Blue you spoke to me
thoughts harvested dirt and seeds
swallowed whole
sipped to gulps
clouds a storm the leaves turned pale
backs to warn land-made sea
wild dark the sky held hands
all breath halted.



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"Open the cupboard
there is nothing hungry to eat."

Raw spine and hiccup
moonless cloud cover
I am ugly stirring pots
searching for sweet carrots
soft celery mind in weeds
tangling with cacophony

voice on the floor

force fed the day
I ate.



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Lull before the more storm
have can you
should welcome sorry
reflection in soap water

no is

tired on an edge
detangle-struggles knot the me-part
joy is promised

emotional bruise I move through
purple-blue be patient talk
white-knuckled-gimme thick in my throat
no ache window sometimes
but not really

nightlight soon please.



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I dreamed a pearl kissed an oyster
as the sea gasped for air,
beat the shell to cracks then sand.
The foam, the swells, took it far,
they took it, took it,
till a child gulped the curve.
Her swallowed glowed,
the salt-wet orb
slid the throat,
a mollusk's core.




(All writings on this web site page are © Elizabeth Hayes Christopher)

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