Her Debut as a Public Singer

Choosing to live in the city is not a retreat from the natural world.

In her shared housing, music echoes the conjunction

of being on the train to the capital

while also being in

the capital.

Fagin! A toast. Down with it, Innocence. 

Composer! Mark every score with strains that mean anemia.

Here’s to stricken symphonies in lieu

of nature poetry. Here’s to choosing  

the role of exsanguinated diva. And when >> by request >> she sang >>

for us at the kitchen table >> our faces flushed.

Music is a conjunction

of dark and translucent oceans. 

Choosing to live in the city is not a retreat from the natural world.

When she falls into a minor key it is

a sinusoidal graph of our breath. 

After her debut, she discovered >> in the mirror >> reading as if Syriac >>

red marker >> bled through her >> bodice >>

onto her body. 

Unleash Lit published an earlier version of “Her Debut as a Public Singer” in August, 2024