SOOT

in summer—
the mosquitos hide among the fireflies
as night hides among the stars.
sins washed away with holy hard water;
there’s coal dust in the soil,
there’s coal dust in the soul.

in autumn—
the cold preens the woods like a carcass
and our roots jut from the dirt
like ribcages and cheekbones.

here, the silver spoon is licked
only by the flame of a butane lighter.
here is Venus’ oyster, frozen shut.
lovers’ arteries freeze like pipes.

here the earth has been loved
to death.

By Rebecca Kokitus

previously published by Moonchild Magazine

Biography:

Rebecca Kokitus is a part time resident of Media, PA just outside Philadelphia, and a part time resident of a small town in rural Schuylkill County, PA. She is an aspiring poet and is currently an undergraduate in the writing program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. More of her writing can be found in Rag Queen Periodical and Moonchild Magazine, among other places. She tweets at @rxbxcca_anna.