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I will not ask you 

how even under your feet

life blooms like blood

how each leaf and grass

parts as you come running

how readily they are to submit

under your calling

guardian of forest

a mirror of trees

rooting you in place 

I wonder what language

you speak in your dreams

if you see three suns

in place of two eyes

and one mouth

teach me how to love

with your mouth

the only intentional parting

in the body that knows how to heal

the incurable hunger

like a knife can never be sharp enough

metal pulling toward metal

I will not ask you

how I’m meant to lie

my hand flat on the soil

so it can listen

and find the greatest hurt

I will go under palm first

to the centre of the forest

where your heart beats

with one thousand mouths open

ready to swallow

you're beautiful

BY CHRISTIANA JASUTAN

Christi is a Chinese Indonesian poet based in Birmingham. Her writing touches on themes of embodiment, love, identity, and metaphors. Her work has been published in streetcake magazine, harana poetry, and others. Christi’s debut pamphlet is forthcoming with Fawn Press in 2023. Chat with Christi on Twitter @ChristiJasutan or read more of her work on Instagram @cacaolatte.writes.

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