Brigid Faye, Reader

I Can Be Hemlock

Hemlocks grow in the cold

They need shady places

I’ve been in cold shady places 

I have been poison.

When I make someone love me.

I pretend to be different. 

I can change how I look. 

The hemlock is camouflaged. 

Deep green is the darkness. 

That’s what I’ll be. 

We’ll go on a journey.

To the thick of the woods. 

I’ll play pretty girl.

I’ll play sheltering boughs. 

Until you are hungry.

And need me too much. 

When you try to eat me

I’ll poison your lunch. 

I’ll poison your heart with hate,

With regret. 

For not being able to keep

That pretty girl that you met.