Inedible by Sera | One Poem Only

A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.InedibleSeraI wish I could covermy body in spikes,become unappetizing,indigestible.I poke holes into my image,pour lighter fluid over it,flicking the flame onand burning awaythe outline you memorized,char the version of meyou still think of.I wish I could transform,shapeshiftinto something you hate.I chop my hair inuneven sections,cut lattice into my face,unravel the centre of myself.I bite my fingers raw,throw my body against concreteuntil it's beaten bloody.carve my tonguefrom my throatso I can't comply.stab forks into my sight;force myself backin control.I wish I could breakevery single one of my bonesso I can slip from these cuffs,this cage,contort myself to fitbetween the bars.I know I have the keybut I can't find the lock-I'm blind.I need to break myselfout of here.time is flyingbut my wings are broken.I take a bat to my back,pepper spray my face,swallow a grenadeand drink acid.I wish I could mould myselfinto a mushy mess,become nauseating,off putting,tasteless.I run into traffic,tangle myself in the tires,chugging gasoline.I jump into a pit of spiders,cover myself in bites and stings,eat handfuls of beesuntil my cheeks swell.I'll dip myself into alake of boiling water,seeping deep as myskin bubbles up.I'll roll in what repels you,leave with a matching stench,use jagged stonesto scratch up anyblank space remaining.I wish I could melt downinto the cracks in the earth,hide in the soilfrom the eyes in the sky.drag wood againstmy arms and legs,hair turning to splinters.I shave my eyebrows offand pick at my lips.I'll tie my teeth to string,slam the door,take pieces of glassand stick them into my body,standing with the cactus.cut out all the cartilageand tie together my tendons,spread my blood on breadand eat that instead.jump head firstinto a volcano,exfoliate my skin with the heat.make myself a target-fire arrow after arrow,pinning myself down.take an axe to my toes,a mace to the chest,a knife to the back.I wish I could becomeinedible,insipid,abhorrent.I'd do anythingto make youprojectile vomitat the thought of me.More from Sera ↓@serawrites03 on InstagramSupport + Stay Connected to OPOIf you’d like to support the show, Substack and Patreon members receive a copy of my book, For My Daughter, along with episodes from the audiobook.Poetry reminds us what matters. Thank you for listening.Mentioned in this episode:Write After with One Poem OnlyWrite After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. If you want to join: Listen to a poem from the month of April on One Poem Only, then write your own in response. I will pick one for each day to read in June for a special series: One Poem After 🍎🍏 Submissions close May 15.Write After Submissions Form