it was a drinking song, red riot
of rose and itchy ribbon. Google
says, dying requires precision.
aunt A said, high school is the best
time you ever have in your life.
I mummified mine
in case she was right.
been mummifying ever since
like I could keep the sink
of my little girl feet on wet sand
by jarring shells or the first surge
of something warm and reaching
down there, something about
Peter, by stealing his glasses.

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Ellen Devlin is the author of two chapbooks: Rita and Heavenly Bodies at the MET, both published by Ĉervená Barva Press. Her recent work has appeared in The Coachella Review, The Amethyst Review, Mom Egg Review, RockPaperPoem, Muleskinner, Beyond Words, and The Westchester Review, among others. She lives in Irvington, New York.