Open Me Up

Poem by Zadie McCracken //Photograph by Lais Azevedo

Open me up, etch me out.

Can you see the love lines?

Cut into my ribs with your sickly sweet kiss

You uncaring trailblazer, you.

Light a match and watch the flame

Burn nothing, nothing, nothing.

Open me up, etch me out.

Do you feel hollow yet?

It’ll get you someday.

There are constellations and hexagons and cracks in the sun-baked earth.

I wish I was

braver

stronger

better

I wish I was a machine.

Open me up, etch me out.

I am tired but will not sleep

I am desperate but will not speak.

You cut my throat out.