Three Uncanny Poems by Shendra ‘ja Tolliver
Hey, what are you doing?
It speaks with your grandmother’s voice.
New poetry from the two-time Beamont Prize-winner!
I. i am the thing outside your window
i am the thing outside your window without a face. i smile and with your grandmother’s voice i beckon: “Come to me, little one i have wondrous sights to show you and such wondrous sweets to feed you i know you like them you ate them all up long long ago when this voice belonged to another.” you can hear my smile widen this smile of a faceless thing ever w i d e r w i d e r still w i d e enough now to swallow you whole.
II. uncanny suckle on his chest
uncanny suckle on his chest my hunger prisoned behind flesh our bodies couple like a nest hot sweat glistened beading fresh when our seeds scuttle fast and deft his knife positioned to enmesh my claw strikes first from the left.
III. they will not find the body
they will not find the body i am sure of it. pulled it off me softly long disposed of calmly like tattered sleeves or rotting leaves, or a thrice-used condom.
Shendra ‘ja Tolliver is a two-time winner of the Beamont Prize and a graduate of the Balladeers’ Workshop at The Magist Imperial University. They have recited their poetry during an imperial audience with the Emperor, himself, and their work has been featured in publications throughout the Distant Reaches. Shendra lives alone in the shadows of the Sindar Mountains. Their first poetry collection is forthcoming.
