Hold the flame to the wick for a second too long.
Fall to my knees,
pray and
beg—
Like a sick dog, oh i ask of you,
put me down.
The electric fence laughs in my face
just one last time.
Earthquakes will ravage the land you step on.
For years, the rusted machinery will push and
pull until you can’t breathe.
Cough up dirt,
feel the earthworms crawling in your chest—
Why else would your heart be so heavy?
Smoke spills out the top of the oven,
muffins for my psychiatrist…
I can’t feel my arms or legs—
A sliver of mercy
otherwise,
lay me down to rest.
Aria Makan is a third-year Economics (BA) major attending the University of Texas at Austin. She is pursuing additional studies by triple-minoring in Risk Management, Business Administration, and English. She is working towards a book publication, and her Poetics and Performance Professor, Brandon Lamson, suggested submitting work for UH’s Glass Mountain magazine as an opportunity for distribution. Aria has always adored the art of poetry and hopes to share her feelings with readers. She hopes you enjoy these pieces and not just read but wholeheartedly experience the poem.
