Smithereens Press Chapbooks 'Rootless' by Jennifer Matthews | Page 29

Tantalus
For Monkey Óg

Arms branched for balance
you flap flightless, bend
to the flesh of the apple
I’ve just bitten open.
Gums rake the grainy hollow,
press and press again. Nothing
breaks. Eyes wide, you suckle
what sweetness you can,
while I promise you
something cutting
will come through the pink.

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