naissance, represented


by johanna m. nesler

i am an ellipsis,
a potential
a blurred sentence ending
spoken of when the men have cleared
and the women attempt the mending

[suspended in balmy brine, held safe in my resistance
buoy the imminent exit, without proof of existence]

i’m a parentheses,
split helix curves
defined by disconnection
spoken of, in hushed tones and nods
a subject for closer inspection

[stem the blood, stay that river, this tide will leave me at bay
the dark raft sails into the harsh light, surges compelling the way]

i’m an apostrophe,
represented
a wraith between, vapor white
spoken of when the men have gone
and the women brave the night