catapult magazine

in the dark

by Christina Crook

in us, flame
prudent, singeing
rejects the stale
barricades sterile

no admittance here

in us, flourish of rain
guarding the child
his treasure, hidden
her treasure, secret 

it is our worship

expansive hand horizon-wide

in the field
on canvas
upon the stage
here on page

it’s the fisher-price darlings
and cookie-cutter sundays
that have us scared,             sacred
scared

and our fears make us archaic
and we smile through furious tears
because we know