“The Moon in Seven Jars” by Erica Reid
The Moon in Seven Jars
i.
The moon is a porcelain plate
that the goddess
will shatter later.
ii.
The moon is a lump
that the goddess finds
in her breast
in the dark.
iii.
The moon is a coin
that the goddess flips...
Heads, she goes. Tails,
she goes.
iv.
The moon is an opal
that the goddess swaps
for something
she can eat.
v.
The moon is a flashlight
that the goddess shines
toward what she hopes
will be nothing,
no one.
vi.
The moon is the origami
that the goddess likes best.
Wads it right up
in her fist.
vii.
The moon is an onion
that the goddess bites
when she can’t quite cry.