"pollution" by Fabio Sassi
Allison Wu | Casus Belli
Let’s say it begins at the supermarket, by the fresh cut
peonies, your irises filled with shrapnel, tunnel vision
only a realization of what we cannot admit. You pocket
bruised grapes. I slip across cellophane. Let’s say it begins
in the rain. In the waning ozone you promise it was always
harder to love in revolution. I wipe lightning off my lip.
How easy it is to measure distance, seconds tucked
under a tongue, awaiting further wreckage. Let’s say it begins
on the wrong side of the gas pump. We study colors prismed
into spilt petroleum. I want to light you aflame. We leave
the tank empty. Tired of freeway signs splitting
the skyline. I practice division but this lie is infinite.
Let’s say it begins here, where I am less than something
and you are more than nothing. Where we’ll grab fistfuls
of wounds from each other and blow wishes into them
like dandelion seeds. Where we do not want to want
this peace. Tell me, how does this end?
peonies, your irises filled with shrapnel, tunnel vision
only a realization of what we cannot admit. You pocket
bruised grapes. I slip across cellophane. Let’s say it begins
in the rain. In the waning ozone you promise it was always
harder to love in revolution. I wipe lightning off my lip.
How easy it is to measure distance, seconds tucked
under a tongue, awaiting further wreckage. Let’s say it begins
on the wrong side of the gas pump. We study colors prismed
into spilt petroleum. I want to light you aflame. We leave
the tank empty. Tired of freeway signs splitting
the skyline. I practice division but this lie is infinite.
Let’s say it begins here, where I am less than something
and you are more than nothing. Where we’ll grab fistfuls
of wounds from each other and blow wishes into them
like dandelion seeds. Where we do not want to want
this peace. Tell me, how does this end?
Allison Wu is a writer from upstate New York. Her work has been recognized by Princeton University, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, and Hollins University and appears in West Trestle Review, Eunoia Review, and Rising Phoenix Review, among others. She is an alumna of the Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program and the Iowa Young Writers' Studio.
Fabio Sassi is a photographer and acrylic artist. He enjoys imperfections, and reframing the ordinary in his artwork. Fabio lives in Bologna, Italy and his work can be viewed at https://fabiosassi.foliohd.com
