Tam lin (to Sophia)

Woods captive between the suburbs where the sun fell into our sovereign and the sky turned dark:

We stewed in the mechanical womb observed by their hungry eyes,

But that was a long time ago.

Do you remember?

Would you hold me if I was a wild dog,

Or red-hot flaming sword?

The wild creatures will claim me as their own,

But will you keep me safe from those

Flashing

Red-white-blue

Lights?

You are loyal.

Baptize me in a drain-pipe and make me new like the artificial home they've made for us-

Sterile.

Georgia clay pottery my blood-sister makes in her vestigial kiln,

And the tree where we all have our own branch, even Noah.

The place by the creek where you thought I was a fox,

And do you remember when your father used to let us play manhunt with your brothers without that wary-wolf-eyed look? That is, before I started growing breasts.

We [were/are/will always be] heiresses

Of some strange makeshift kingdom

They made to atone for my family's sins

Stall my parents from going to prison for something falsely accused:

My father is not a child-molestor.

Sophia, you are my protector.

Keep me safe in this [spring/summer] kingdom,

My sweet golden Persephone.

Let's go to the woods,

The ones caught between two neighborhoods,

And keep me and Marlinchen safe from the hold of the local social workers.

Please, surrogate sister,

I do not want to dragged to Elfland,

And the night draws near.

I don't know what they want with us,

I [am/was/always will be] very scared-

And I don't like physical touch but I need it now.