Magic 8
1. Am I a good person?
1. Am I a good person?
See how the sun has domesticated you, gnarly teeth to puppy eyes.
The beast is gone.
Wild sensibilities: tamed — docile, dependent.
Whited eyes and blushed cheeks.
You are only natural, only human.
Trust and shame, the same stinging shade of pink.
2. Does anyone really know me?
Grab the moon like a ping pong ball and watch it bounce.
Pluck from oyster’s tongue, and marvel: the pearl.
Mirror / mirror man’s face, pockmarked with acne scars.
Chew the wheel of cheese, little mouse,
chew and taste the salt.
You are every fable, none.
3. Will I ever have control?
Like the whisper of a dream, all wine to vinegar turns.
Arm yourself instead — grape arsenal,
vine cavalry, barrel suits of armor.
Battle on the front line: did you know that
most soldiers never fire?
Load your musket five times over.
4. Am I capable of love?
It is certain; it is very doubtful.
It is decidedly so; don’t count on it.
Signs point to yes; my sources say no.
Better not tell you now. Reply hazy, concentrate,
concentrate and ask again.
Ask again and ask again and ask again and ask again and ask —
5. How does it all end?
With a kiss and a whimper and the bell
that rings after third period is the same
that rings in the church tower and after,
the silence — the light.
Always light,
then dark.Ava Loomar is a Jewish, bisexual writer and journalist. Born and raised in South Florida, she's now based in Atlanta, producing shows with CNN International. Find her poetry in Sky Island Journal, Dusty Attic Publishing, swim press and IAMB Literary Magazine. You can reach her on Instagram @whosava.
