sunburn capital (for maryam)

re: charlotte wells - aftersun

last year, god told me they'd obliterate the future.

they built a nest where i stood. and i was surprised. magically, they were good. some weeks, they just have to be. and the earth swells to hold you, poppet, but most trust breaks. we'll learn, in time, the ways you open doors. raise borders. stage little revolutions. like magic shows.

and the minutes get weird, sophie. god becomes an idea. parents aren't just mean then. i fell out of favour. still adjusting the recipe.

some girls fall into orbit.

learn quiet. not for good. for a while.

long enough to blink when they fuck up. to say grace and mean it.

i stand in the reflection. watch my skin burn. and i felt it. my house, your house. for a month. little libraries. wet hair. for SOPHIE.

my life without buildings. you in it. i'm smiling.