The Flowers Spoke
Deviant Bates
of a garden treat–
there was a wildflower
blooming in my belly
there was a wildflower
blooming in my belly
yet I reject this body
this fill this vessel this
I want nothing to do with
I apologize
but keep
cringe to me
Deviant Bates (they/them) is a Texan-Taiwanese writer and poet. Their work reflects upon experiences of madness, grief, and yearning. Their work has been published by Vagabond City Lit, Heavy Feather Review, and others. Find them on Twitter @darlingknife.


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