by Avra Margariti
It’s monkey stuff, it’s social bonding,
it’s two young beasts allo-grooming.
Fur and feather, scale and talon,
sharp yet playful nips and scratches,
two small bodies rolling around
in wild grass and cave grit.
When stone floor flays skin,
lick blood, I’m sorry, lick wound, you’re good,
lick tears, I’m here.
Eventually, hunger rumbles
through concave stomachs.
Now cherub-faced, opposing-thumbed,
two children hold hands
down the serpentine forest path into town,
looking to feed and share
the meat spoils between them.
Avra Margariti is a queer Social Work undergrad from Greece. She enjoys storytelling in all its forms and writes about diverse identities and experiences. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Vastarien, Asimov’s, Liminality, Arsenika, and other venues. You can find her on twitter @avramargariti.
