Through a Writhing Dark: Viannah

April 27, 2020, Kate Belew With Viannah (Rockville, Maryland)

I mean, we didn't know what would happen
when earth tilted backwards like the Sun 

a different kind of flip, as if under water

and though we tried to stand straight and tall

we are more willow and we believe in leaning

leaning against the Moon like a sister

the kind that is a twin but is not a twin

one reaching across the void to the other

through a writhing dark. Waning doesn't have to mean 

wanting when the reeds brush against our legs

this tender bristle. We didn't know what would happen

if we danced across the night sky with stars in our hair

a different way of being.