Streets cobbled together from where? Rooftops leaning
from where earth grew its longing toward sea
winding –drunk—all the way up the mountain’s snake
The streets open up closer to sea—which is a dime
to enter and bathe—noisy of gulls—children–sweets gobbled up
in the ocean’s insistent i am god i am god i am god i am
I find myself in the sink with a threat to my temple
—forgiveness discovers I am only an old woman
My feet carry me out of danger into danger—
I remember —I know no one My name tells me
no one will believe me—there is nothing to believe
but the sky’s own tellings– I have learned all the wrong lessons
Here comes a bender again- a sack over my head
All leaning roofs lead inward There is only one way

CASSANDRA WHITAKER (she/they) is a trans writer living in rural Virginia. Whit’s work has been published in Michigan Quarterly Review, Gulf Coast, Conjunctions, The Mississippi Review, and other places. Wolf Devouring A Wolf Devouring A Wolf is forthcoming from Jackleg Press in 2025. They are a member of the National Book Critics Circle. Wolfs-den.page