In which I explain myselfAlex DawsonI want the garden, not the flowersin their sterile vase, I want the bees,the fruit, the soil under my nails,I want to make a mealof what is true. The grit and griefof life, the words you never said,caught in your throat, I wantthem like I want the birdsto follow the invitation ofthe moon. When I was young,someone peeled my eyes widelike wild grapes. Don’t you see?I couldn’t close them if I tried.

More from Alex Dawson ↓

• @alexdawcreates on Instagram
• The Messy Writer's Club on Substack
• Her book, All these Living Things, is out now
• She curated and edited the anthology, Upon Learning That: A Collection of Poetry Based on Facts About the Natural World. It is out now.

You can listen to me read a poem by Alex that is included in the anthology Upon Learning That over on Instagram @rembrandts.cure