in that moment she realised that life was not going to be fair but it could be ferocious and forming if she surrendered herself to the brown, crying, clay.

I’m an omniscient woman, just like my women, and my ancestors send me screenshots. And I already know what you think of me. I’ve known now for centuries.

I know I don’t have to say it but Mum you should have tied me to the ground. Instead I was given to this city freely.

And I thought of Mary Magdalene, her beautiful hair and how degraded she must have felt. Doesn’t matter that it was Jesus. All men think they’re God’s gift.

I thought to myself Just like a pearl I have been smoothed by friction.

Well, I didn’t grow up wrecking things but very often the world wrecked itself around me.

Your eyes dilating like big twin moons. I pass you the smoke. You fill up the room.

are you afraid again? / like you were of Eve? / The world / is getting unbearably hot / but so am I / and so is she.