Cover Art: Louise Bourgeois. Head on Fire, 2000. Drypoint and engraving, with hand additions​. MOMA

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Child

​​Do not touch 
those poorly spun skeins
mottled with tears of salt.
Hold your breath while
(reluctantly upturning
a gravestone 
crooked fingers have sealed)
you dig dirt 
still smelling of honey 
spilling sourness of milk.
You find toys 
time has flattened 
in the shape of stones.
Throw them high. 
Make them jump 
wisely pondering weight.
Draw a long dotted line 
to the clearing (pristinely cut)
hiding in full moonlight.
Let your shadow
follow the path.

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Toti O'Brien is the Italian Accordionist with the Irish Last Name. She was born in Rome then moved to Los Angeles, where she makes a living as a self-employed artist, performing musician and professional dancer. Her work has most recently appeared in The Capra Review, The Write Place at The Write Time, Hamline Lit Link, and Bindweed Magazine.

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past, Sarah Kernsey                                                                                                                                                                              next, Sarah Vandervennet