String Pulled Taut
Emily Peterson
Spring 2019
Three sisters unravel
everything, so that
someday we may die.
Sister Spinner
This is how much
I love you,
My heavenly one,
Oh, twinge in my throat-
Oh, ache of my eyes-
My winter in spring-
My sweet-sore reminder
Of life-living-
My kindred,
This is how much I love you:
I cannot imagine
Dying without you.
Sister Allotter
You clutch heavy curtains,
Beyond your stare,
All is cast in red-giant,
You are left in the
Titian glare,
I am gossamer,
Viewing our eternity
Through your silhouette-
Everything I have
Ever known-
I’d rather
Stare into the sun
Than see.
Sister Inevitable
The god-killer,
The extinguishing sun
Dies too:
Apollo finally withers,
After all these years.
Now we are spectators
I kiss your knuckles,
You recite prayer,
Whatever is first to our lips.
We switch off all the
Motel lights,
Watch the night creep in,
orange,
Then total darkness