Initiation – Poem by Gabriela M.

deification of the virgin nymph
within my palms
the flesh of violet sunsets flips like fish on land
my eyes, inheritors of light
singular sinkholes punctuating a low sky
your love, eternal summer with no births or deaths
initiation
doors lock by themselves
into the secrets of that which will be
the danger of me
deeper than the darkest sea

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About the Poet

Gabriela M. is a US university professor and author of three novels. Her poetry was published by Spillwords Press, STRAWZINE (London), Wolff Poetry Literary Magazine, Vita Brevis, Indian Periodical, Gioielli Rubati Poetry (translated in Italian by Flavio Almerighi), Tuck Magazine, KashmirPen, “Heretics, Lovers, and Madmen,” Literary Yard, Proletaria, and Free Verse Revolution. She was selected “Author of the Month” at Spillwords (April 2019). Her poem “the breath of love and death” was voted “Publication of the Month” at Spillwords (November 2019). Gabriela’s work was included in the anthology America’s Emerging Poets Southeast Region (Z Publishing House, 2018) and Florida’s Best Emerging Poets 2019 (Z Publishing House, August 19, 2019). She blogs at shortprose.blog.

Christina Schwarz, the author of the New York Times Bestseller “Drowning Ruth,” on Gabriela’s
poetry: “With lush language and lavish imagery, Gabriela M. evokes a fantastic world ripe with
emotion.”

For the first time in nearly five years, Vita Brevis is closed for submission. Read the full story here.