I’m smouldering
on the pyre
built
by your hands—
board by board,
kindling and kerosene,
timber mixed with twigs—
little by little
the wood piles up,
all it takes
it one spark
on a dry day,
and the whole thing
will go up in flames,
or so
my father once said,
I quit smoking
but the threat
still lingers—
the dart dangles
on your slack lip,
just yearning
for a light.
Theodora J Sterling
Theodora “Theo” Sterling (she/her) is a queer poet who grew up in rural Alberta, Canada. After leaving her hometown, she pursued a BA from the University of Alberta. Theo has previously been published in literary magazines such as Funicular Magazine, FEELS Zine, Petal Projections, Snowflake Magazine, and The Taborian; she has also worked as a volunteer editorial assistant for Divinations Magazine. Theodora’s work focuses primarily on the domestic sphere, the body, and nature. You can find Theo on Instagram at @CupsOfSilver.
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