New Decade
by Emma Dwyer
SPIT OUT THE SADNESS & KEEP IT IN YOUR LOCKET LIKE BABY TEETH
DISAPPEAR ONE SELF TO CREATE ANOTHER AND KEEP PORTRAITS IN
BOTTLES ON YOUR WINDOWSILL.
A LOVE POTION BREWED BY MY INNER CHILD
THE TREASURES OF YOUTH SUNKEN IN SUNLIGHT
CARVE ME OUT OF PIGMENT
AND THE PENMANSHIP OF YOUR BEST FRIEND
WHO SAVED YOU? HOW?
BEAUTIFUL THINGS ALWAYS LEAVE AND ALWAYS RETURN
IN THE WHIR OF PLASTIC AND WHIMSY
FIGMENT
COTTON CANDY IN THE PURPLE MIST OF HIGH SCHOOL DIRT ROAD
TRUCK RIDES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
SILK RIBBON EMBRACING THE THROATS OF MY FRIENDS,
TIED EMOTIONS AS IGNEOUS, BURNING AND SLOSHING
POWER IN THE HANDS OF SELFISH, COURAGEOUS PEOPLE IS THE WORST
THING. INK ON PAPER AS SEX.
TRANSFIGURATION
AS SEX IS IN OUR NATURE—
WHAT DO WE GAIN WHEN WE ARE DESIRED?
AND I GET DIZZY FROM THE SCENT OF YOUR SWEAT
SUNDAYS SWAY AND WAVER IN JOY AND CELEBRATION.
STAGGERING IN THE SUN
PEARL UNDERTONES SEEPING UP HER LONG HAIR
AND THE GUST OF MAGIC AT MIDNIGHT IN THE NEVER-SLEEPING CITIES.
TIP YOUR HEAD BACK TO THE SUN—
AND SING
WITH ALL OF YOUR LEGS.
Emma Dwyer (she/her) is an aspiring young poet, singer, and visual artist born in Michigan and currently living in Brooklyn, New York. Her primary interests lie in exploring the concepts of wisdom, eros, and visual, aural, and emotional beauty. Follow her on Instagram @emmadwyerr.