Glistening from the heat
my tanned skin is as warm
as the berries. We bake
beneath the same summer sun.
Blackberry seeds stick in my teeth
their flesh under my nails
warm and delicious
I devour them one by one.
As the berries sweat
their juice stains my fingers
and my mouth deep purple
flesh an artificial bruise.
BIO: Gabby Gilliam lives in the DC metro area with her husband and son. Her poetry has most recently appeared in One Art, Plant-Human Quarterly, The Ekphrastic Review, Pure Slush, Deep Overstock, Vermillion, MacQueen’s Quinterly, and Anti-Heroin Chic. You can find her online at gabbygilliam.squarespace.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GabbyGilliamAuthor.
