A Little Feral by Maria Giesbrecht

I press into the world’s chest—will it budge?

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A Little Feral

by Maria Giesbrecht

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There’s a car in my neighborhood with the bumper sticker
“a little feral” and I think of how yesterday I sawed
off two slices of watermelon and let them drip disgusting
down my elbows. I catch myself sometimes: I forget
to sweep the corners on purpose or run a load of laundry
without soap. I press into the world’s chest—will it budge?
I didn’t know I loved my first boyfriend until I yelled fuck
you one night and he didn’t leave. I do this—I push back
like a palm in church. I didn’t know I loved God until he grated
the black night into my bowl and didn’t flinch when I threw up 
a few stars.

First published in ONLY POEMS (February, 2025)