The Rising Phoenix Review posted: " Edges Why she hadda be loud so?Sharp so?All clavicles and cheekbonesretorts and teethblackstrap molasses on the back of the tonguerefusing to go downa splinter of bone lodged  in the throat? My edgessanded to sanctimonious smoothnessguil" The Rising Phoenix Review Edges By Ruth Osman The Rising Phoenix Review Jan 8 Edges Why she hadda be loud so? Sharp so? All clavicles and cheekbones retorts and teeth blackstrap molasses on the back of the tongue refusing to go down a splinter of bone lodged  in the throat? My edges sanded to sanctimonious smoothness guilted with Wednesday's ashes shrivel and shrink as she passes paper held to flame. I see you, sister. I want to be you, sister. My father claps our roti oiled hands gleaming then divides steaming hills of rice and dhal with knife and fork so I could learn 'the proper way'— self-mutilation with a serving of table talk. I see you, sister. I want to be you, sister The bedroom door creaks impales me with a shaft of light a butterfly pinned to the sheets. Sweaty palms trembling thighs. I wonder why but my body knows. I see you, sister. I want to be you, sister. "Why are you always so angry?" A lover pries. I cross my legs smile cloak the gleam of steel behind my eyes. I see you, sister. I want to be you, sister. By Ruth Osman Biography: Ruth Osman is a Guyanese singer/songwriter and poet based in the Caribbean twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Like most Caribbean people, she is a confluence of ethnicities, traditions and perspectives. Poetry, she says, helps her make sense of those rich, diverse and sometimes incongruent legacies. She was shortlisted for the Bocas Lit Emerging Writers Fellowship 2022. And her poem, "Lost and Found" received an Honorable Mention in the 52nd New Millennium Writing Awards. Osman is currently completing her debut poetry collection "All Made of Longing" for publication by Bamboo Talk Press. Comment Manage your email settings or unsubscribe.

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