montana leigh jackson

"PORTRAIT OF A SINKING SHIP"

in the corner of the room, the tv sings/ Ariel opens her mouth

and silence curls out/ she has just traded her voice

for a chance to have her heart speak for her/ i open

mine as she draws her hands up to her throat/ the weight

of the trade settling down upon her.

in the corner of the room, the tv sighs/ Ariel watches

as a storm churns around her/ i reach out as she tumbles

through sea water in search of a prince/ her skin: once a promise

is now a betrayal/ her heart: once an anchor

now a sinking ship.

in the corner of the room, the tv screams/ Ariel thrashes

and the sea swells/ i close my eyes

as the waves fold around her.

in the corner of the room, the tv stops/ Ariel disappears,

leaving nothing but a reflection in her wake/ i stare

as a girl begins to gasp for air,

her hands at her throat/ drowning in an ocean

i cannot see.

Montana Leigh Jackson is a student in Montreal, Quebec. Her work has been featured in semicolon lit, Ghost City Review, perhappened, ENTROPY, & others. She finds peace amongst words and within thunderstorms. Find her on twitter: @montanaLjackson or at montanaleighjackson.com