This poem is excerpted from Embers & Amber, a collection of poetry by Candice Landau that explores love, loss, memory, and becoming.
Natural Order
Because the world dictated it
I fulfilled my purpose
And it turned me inside out
Like a fig
And it ate me
Like a fig a wasp
And it began to
Break me down
And absorb me.
This beautiful thing
Soft wet teeth
And sweet open eyes
My wings are gone
My body dying
There is no escape
No point to my terror
Will someone help me fast
Will someone help me out
Of this pretty purple skin
But only if I’ll live
But only if I’ll live.
