October Chorus

Were sisters. Were bound

by blood, muscle, & face shape.

Were tethered to a couch,

cushion-sunk. Were ears forced

open to hear what passes

for confession, the sinner too weak

to speak it, the sinned against

left to break words over our bent heads.

Were fettered & feral, foaming

at rose-red lips. Were thorny,

pricklebush armor, piercing

fabric & skin. Were thrash, howl,

claw, eyes narrowed, zeroed in

on the kill. Were held in place, unsated,

bled to dry, deflated girl-shells.