Inciting Incident

By Allison Bothley

I was bare as November

when you dressed me in black.

Made mess with        loops 

pressed hard 

                              and soft by

pointer and thumb. 

A relentless tryst:

supine on reclaimed oak

cracked                      open 

to spine,

I see only furrowed brow 

and pursed lips 

lapping the maw of hope.

No darling 

                      don’t 

stop. Let the symbols 

                                          spill down 

from that         mind, 

those       lips, 

fingers.

Give me your m’s and a’s.

Your stream of consciousness unchecked 

by the bite of my blade.

I hurt for you; 

so bleed for me 

then turn again

and make it right.

Use me                   up 

margin to footer full

                          up 

from mother 

tongue.

Over and over.

              I’ll take it 

                                  all.

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Allison Bothley is a writer and recovering MFA (The New School) who lives in Orangeville, Ontario. Her writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, The White Wall Review, Sad Girl Diaries, and other literary and cultural publications. She is the creator and publisher of Bangs Zine, an independent space hot for big feelings, emerging writers, and lazy Sunday readers.

IG: @allisonbothleywrites

Website: www.allisonbothley.com