Spectra

＂Housekeeping＂
Tepid blow cools the liquid to hunch and wind. A box
arrives and loaded spills order across the Jloor. Living room,
dining room, room of tinder and kindling. The joints grind
to aspirin under the whitest application. At night I place oil
over all the door hooks to make for swifter leaving.
Kerosene opening , I saw it coming and took Jlight.
Ashley Toliver is the author of the chapbook Ideal Machine. Her work has been supported by fellowships from Oregon Literary Arts, Cave Canem, and the Academy of American Poets. She received her MFA from Brown University in 2013.