“Alembic” in Acropolis Journal, Issue 1

August 1, 2021

The poem is still available on the magazine’s website.

Acropolis Journal’s launch caught my eye because I recognized editor Louise Mather as a fellow contributor at the richly dark Crow & Cross Keys publication. The vibes at Acropolis are similar & I was really excited when she selected this poem to be part of Acropolis’ first issue.

The poem is another weird mix of heartbreak & alchemy.

Alembic

If I am honest my heart is
worm-veins, careful-woven
    to come-undone, fiber-by-fiber, corpse
fingers entwined, grasp & ungrasp,

you came the closest to this rattling
    death, stopped my heart with a jerk 
at the end of the rope. You & your broken bow
smile, your eyes like mercury enthroned

in the infinite womb of the cosmos, gods
willing these broken atoms to mend — ask
if i am honest, my heart is careful-undone
fingers holding the kite-string taut, broken
bow, snapped in her detriment, if i am honest

my heart is with you.