by January Santoso
Chestnut Review

Where would you like to start? when it happened I was knotted in a cobalt room.
Is that a metaphor? I mean the lights were blue, but they were not
Were the lights symbolic? exactly. they are the last jagged glacial edge
What were you doing there? evermelting. but I’m made of plasma so I can’t say
Were you drinking? look at that. I like this flowy state, like to be all
What were you wearing? love and crap. if anyone showed me love, it was 
Were you conscious? a clam-shut pearl. thought I’d pry it open, lube it
So you were awake? up with swan tears. frightening, what a swan is, when
You didn’t try to stop it? you’re looking it in the eye.

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January Santoso is a writer, teacher and sex worker. She lives in Los Angeles with her two cats, Tree Trunks and Loofah.