for the occasion, wash
under cold water, scratch
off excess fuzz,
raise to your mouth, think
this could feel
like kissing someone
with a beard. It is
like that, then
use your teeth,
expose flesh,
think of the animals
you dream about—
the ones who tear
off your clothing
with their teeth, the animals
who see you naked.
[+]
Hannah Dow is a PhD student in poetry at the
University of Southern Mississippi's Center for
Writers. Her work has appeared in Contrary
Magazine, Literary Laundry, and Abramelin.
