the history of my body

after Wanda Coleman

by Lauren Milici

a ruined city
small winged thing
the way doves are not songbirds
full-mouthed & howling
honey-scented / feral soundscape
a bluer shade of dark
salted earth, skinned animal
tropical depression / train-track scar
prayer to the patron saint of leaving
touch-a touch-a touch-a touch me
kiss-swollen, stupid
the only ghost at this party / holy
(dripping)
half-eaten peaches
home, if you want it

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Lauren Milici is a Jersey-born, Florida-raised poet and writer based in West Virginia. She has an MFA in creative writing from West Virginia University. When she isn’t crafting sad poems about sex, she’s either writing or shouting into the void about film, TV, and all things pop culture.