Our poet reads a poem from her second book Sweet Tea and Ketamine. 

Hell was the journey

but it brought me to you.

Cold was the shoulder

enchanted by a blue hue.

Graced by your body

dancing in the shadows.

Stretch high to meet your eye

standing on my tiptoes.

Blood splattered, battered ram

crawling through the dirt.

Mud-stained glass

ripped through your white linen shirt.

Choked by the scarf

you gave me that night.

As you stared, tongue tied

trying to meet my eyes.

Ring my blood-slacked clothes

out with my tears.

Drown myself in an iced-down bath

as I remember the night that you said:

I'd love to rule with you

that would be amazing.

Mark my clay flesh

with your red lips grazing.

And time and time you'll show me again

what it's like to be a true ruler in hell.

Told me Aphrodite blessed our unity.

That your golden words were true to me.

We could dance by the fireside

hold my hand straight through the night.

And your fears will be obsolete

because even the false god

would bless this unity.

xx zf