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Ambrosia

BY PAIGE PENDERGRAST

I was born into my mother’s war     The idea of me was so Terrifying     That they killed my
grandfather    in a black chariot        just At the threat of my existence Tried to kill my mother
too          But I succeeded before they could Born a killer        I sprung from my mother’s   
ankle I absorbed her as I passed through    I have one 32 year old ankle   That cramps
when I act foolish          I taste nothing except music      I have the voice of a crow    Feet of
a rabbit    Stomachs of a cow All the things I have killed        The hope of my brother
the faith of my cousin who they   killed in my basement      at dawn     all              
killed                 Yet I am a traitor I   still   make love to my         enemy             the
ones  who will kill     me      eventually      I fear nothing except my grandfather    
he plays piano   pain, o!    in my dreams      the way he used to        before they got him     
and stole his fingers      so with a sword I slay him    slice through           the tainted neck before
he can        see          and be disappointed   because I still       indulge
the ones
they call         Spirits Firewater        Moonshine Libations            Ambrosia