“The Complex” by Selena Neal

Savior

Diferente,

Que siente

Diablo

Diaspora

Behavior

Endangers

Todo

Sobre

Tu gente:

Pero

Diablo,

Savior Behavior

Endangers

Diaspora–

Gente

Que siente

Diferente

Sobre

Todo

Que tú.

“my chagallian birthday” by Selena Neal

paper dolls

could not predict

the type of house

we have:

butter knife,

coin purse,

glass cup

beside a

window outlooking

ourselves–

it cloaks itself

in cool colors

as the

fiery floor

flows beneath

our floating

feet.

neck curved, your kiss

unfurls to me

like a fern from

your shirt’s forest

green, reflects

the leaves

dotting the gradient

blush of my

birthday bouquet.

you are

my favorite

surprise.