Micah and Deidre at the shrine of Saint Dymphna

by Emma Cohen

Listen to me:
there is no other way

go to the river
stick your hands in
put the water on your neck

do you remember breathing?
do that

do you remember anything else?
conjure whatever you can

the water on your neck
will tell your skin
and that is as good a place as any

to name your freedom

eat dirt if you have to
claw your way in, out

get mud on your sneakers
bleed through the scrapes on your shins

give up everything
except your freedom

then whatever your freedom is
you must