Kuchisake

by Jacqueline Zalace

When chains pound against cold metal sheets, 

leaned against the rotten house – flies pouring 

out the window, wings sticky with Sakuma bile; 

when carrion crows land on the grass, dried 

blood brushing shiny beaks, pecking the soft 

wood – I float from the frame, holes in the paper 

door whistling a song for us; eaten by the silence, 

stretching across the bay. Rain burns down 

my skin, soaking through dirt, bubbling – fizzing 

into the wind, fading into the fog. Footsteps sink

in mud, worms squishing under my heel, but I stop,

I look back at you; sitting on the steps. Black tar cherries 

hang down your face, empty; maggots cry down 

your cheeks, sliced open, flesh tearing apart, turning

grey under the cloudy sky. Beautiful, like mine – 

your mouth falls open, pulling the skin; silent cries 

knock me down, but I smile; skin cracking, hot blood 

leaking in my ears, quieting your scream.

Bio: Jacqueline Zalace (she/her) is a poet based in Austin, Texas where she lives with her partner and cat. Her first chapbook, Snow Angels, was published in 2024. You can also find her work in various places scattered across the internet. Aside from writing, she spends her time playing video games, painting, and reading.

Artwork: “Born to be a lover girl, forced to bleed out” by Coe Colette

Artist Bio: Meet Coe Colette, a queer, non-binary artist, writer, musician, and mixed-media creator who has lived a thousand lives in their 30-ish years. They currently live in Seattle with their cat, Mr. Business. Drawing inspiration from their real experiences and dreams, Coe's creations explore the weirdest corners of the human psyche. Their works having been featured in prestigious publications such as Querencia Press, The Century Foundation, Ambrosia Zine, and the upcoming anthology "Sparks" by Chimera Projects. Additionally, they have published their first chapbook, "Maladaptive Daydreams," with Bottlecap Press. Their art has also been displayed in exhibitions at Las Laguna Art Gallery, Base Camp Studios, and beyond. They are also the recipient of the 4Culture 2024 Individual Recovery Fund Grant.