‘Feathers and Bones’ & ‘Erosion’

Artist- John L Gronbeck-Tedesco

Feathers and Bones

I lied to a priest 

at the age of eight.

My sins would be forgiven

if I was sorry.

There are only three things

bodies need to survive—

forgiveness isn’t one.

I was a bride for the first time

at the age of nine.

I walked down the aisle toward 

a wrinkled, balding man.

He presented my husband—

a thin, tasteless wafer I was  

told became His body. 

I took back my original sin

at the age of fourteen.

I stained every spec of white

with the blood dripping

from the gaping holes

where I ripped apart my wings

and scattered the ground with

feathers and bones.

Erosion 

Raindrops falling down a windowpane

You leave me

S-l-o-w-l-y.

Your laugh, a

chuckle

giggle

chortle

snicker

I can’t remember.

Were those earthen locks softer than the blanket I clutch?

A smile that lit up a room—an exaggeration?

I rip through the pages,

Entreating one photo after another

“Please remind me.”

Still those raindrops fall off the edge

to oblivion

Another piece of you 

fades 

away.

Sierra Tufts is a writer living in Pennsylvania who received her MFA from Arcadia University. Her flash fiction has been published in 805 Lit + Art. She has also published poetry in two anthologies—Hey There, Delilah! by Wingless Dreamer and New Voices – Spring 2024 by Moonstone Arts Center.