In which I explain myself by Alex Dawson

In which I explain myself

Alex Dawson

I want the garden, not the flowers
in their sterile vase, I want the bees,
the fruit, the soil under my nails,
I want to make a meal

of what is true. The grit and grief
of life, the words you never said,
caught in your throat, I want
them like I want the birds

to follow the invitation of
the moon. When I was young,
someone peeled my eyes wide
like wild grapes. Don’t you see?

I couldn’t close them if I tried.

More from Alex Dawson ↓

* @alexdawcreates on Instagram

* Second Nature on Substack

* Her book, All these Living Things, is out now

* She curated and edited the anthology, Upon Learning That: A Collection of Poetry Based on Facts About the Natural World. It will be out soon.

You can listen to me read a poem by Alex that is included in the anthology Upon Learning That over on Instagram @rembrandts.cure

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