They came with machetes
asked if we knew the way to Wonderland.
asked if we knew the way to Wonderland.
We were built to love
the dead, to open our mouths
and sing praise to broken
the dead, to open our mouths
and sing praise to broken
bones, hands over our eyes,
aluminum sheets over our hearts.
aluminum sheets over our hearts.
They wanted us to see
with our electric tongues, taste salt
and black silk over strangers’ faces,
with our electric tongues, taste salt
and black silk over strangers’ faces,
weep in gilded rooms
on our well-oiled knees,
on our well-oiled knees,
understand what it means
to kiss oblivion.
to kiss oblivion.
We need nothing
in return. We only ask for our moment
with the moon, that pale face like
in return. We only ask for our moment
with the moon, that pale face like
beautiful teeth, mourning
how some things only ever shine
in the dark.
how some things only ever shine
in the dark.
© 2025 Angela Liu
