A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.

Lilies

Madilyn Lopez

blood gushes from underneath my index fingers

underneath my thumbs

my eyes go white and pin-point black

bloodshot— my artery.

my throat seals itself shut like a wooden door stuck in humidity’s clutch

i tilt my chin to the popcorn ceiling

gasping for air that’s already escaped

Lilies are my favorite flower by the way.

it is late.

12:15am exactly.

my neck starts to itch where brittle bone holds nostalgic flesh imprints

the coffee on my wooden-chipped scarred nightstand has gone tepid

then frigid

it is late.

12:17am exactly.

congealed blood gushes from my nose where I have never been hit only walked into steel and

concrete walls

my tear ducts know no repentance stuck in confession my chest feels like

tenmilliontrapdoorsleftunsealed

i scratch at the duct tape fastened around my goosebumped body clawing like a raved

rabid wretched animal wretched thing

salivating

foaming

aching

teeth baring

Lilies are my favorite flower by the way.

it is late.

12:21 exactly.

Lilies.

Lilies. Lilies. Lilies.

Lilies.

More from Madilyn Lopez ↓

• @v0guerat on Instagram
• @maryshelleysmymother on TikTok
• @madilynlo on Substack

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