A Shuddering Glimpse

By Mahailey Oliver

Through the reeds

they say you can see her

on her knees

worshipping the breeze

and how it shifts

the soft silhouette of her sundress.

It goes like this, the act of recovery.

Through the shutters

you cannot see her

on her knees

worshipping the bourbon

and how it shifts

the perspective of her sorrow.

You cannot see how badly she wishes

to untether her chord,

lift the anchor until she is floating

floating floating away

Mahailey Oliver holds an English MA from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Her poetry has previously appeared in Spark to Flame, Dipity Literary Magazine, and The Afterpast Review. Her body and soul are both made happy with a chilly autumn breeze and camping under starlight.