I cannot accept it. How can
one be ready for this gift? My
belly cannot curve to tightness,
my skin cannot hold a drum (that
second heart). I cannot accept
it – limbs bursting buds. I cannot
have the end to blood. I cannot
bear your blood, child, and I think of
you, often.
Ivy Alvarez was formerly reviews editor of Cordite.
About Ivy Alvarez
Ivy Alvarez is the author of Mortal (Red Morning Press, 2006). Her poems feature in anthologies, journals and new media in many countries, including Best Australian Poems 2009, and have been translated into Russian, Spanish and Japanese. The recipient of several awards, prizes and residencies, she has received funding towards the writing of her second book of poems from the Australia Council of the Arts.
She is now in Cardiff, Wales, having previously lived in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
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