by Nadyja von Ebers
My whole life, a series of love
spells I refuse to reverse,
bound forever to each and every
lover, infinite marriages spun
like DNA helices,
like cotton candy.
If I ever loved you
I still love you
and my god, can I love
like a boulder,
like a blade, the cascade
under a bridge people leap from.
Tell me — what is the worst thing
you have ever done?
I will hold it for you
for lifetimes, I will carry it in my jaws.
Nadyja von Ebers is a former high school teacher from Chicago who currently writes and makes independent films in Los Angeles.