Victoria Richard
Confessions of the Apocalypse
Since the stars
Have decided to shine
A little dimmer—
Since all peace
Has shriveled up
In earth’s belly—
Since the only
Glow I remember now
Is Australia on fire—
Since the only thing
I’ve felt in a week
Is trembling—
As I shake my uncle’s hand
As I push another allergy pill into my throat
As I Germ -X my table at the coffee shop
Is formality excused?
Do I get to say things
That no one thinks I should?
My brain is
Scrambling for serotonin
Like a mouse for crumbs
Can I say that
I still have dreams—
Vivid blue, sometimes gold—
My throat burns
From air whistling from
My lungs—
(Fuck you,
Amygdala,
Fuck you)
I’m a good girl
That is what
The dream says
I am always amazed
At how splendidly
My body functions
Smoother
Purer
Than my mind
I have decided
To allow myself
To be beshrewn
Honesty is usually
What people call
Evil—ugly—depraved—
I say it is
What makes a
Heart beat holy
Sometimes I lie
Awake remembering
Loving you—
I promise I don’t
Anymore—
Maybe something
Inside this rotten
Flower heart
Always will
Wonder if your
Breaths are tattered
Like mine.
Victoria Richard is a recent creative writing graduate of Jubilee Performing Arts Conservatory in McComb, Mississippi. She is currently studying English Literature at Millsaps College. Richard has received three Scholastic Awards for her work in fiction, poetry, journalism, and creative nonfiction. Her poetry has appeared in South 85 Journal.
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