Apricity Press Issue #1 | Page 8

Healing

Carter Steinmann

Homemade syrup wrapped in her hand,

slow dripping

just a half-a-spoonful

black as tar

a piece of cloth, a little powder

pressed to navel

a small hardbound book wrapped tightly

in cotton butcher’s twine

heated water, bared down,

buried it

packs of literature greased with castor oil

smokin’ over the fire

pulled mouths open, gaping like sea bass,

with a hooked finger

held hands and knees to spread them bones,

til she healed