ambidextrous
my imagination
is ambidextrous
there are curves
on the curves
of my curves
mango asterisks
carbonized hyphens
salty marks
of interrogation
grace
I’ve decided to dress my body
in blessings. speak to my breath
with the amazement it deserves
gather around myself in communion
sing praises to my veins, and their ability
to turn a paper sack of groceries
I bought with my own money
into plasma. skin. consciousness
celebrate this body-temple
notice the parts not ready to give up
honor the looped tourniquets
yanked taut to stop the gush
of sanguine wounds
I am noticing all the healing
that’s been going on while I sleep
tangerine pajamas dream
an intergalactic birthday party
that saves my rain house
made of mud and cake
I've decided to dress my body
in the golden filament of respect
and become the great protector
— my own saving grace
I stand at a crossroads
shark teeth grinning
at the spools of happiness
stored inside me, waiting
to be unfurled
Amy Shimshon-Santo is a poly-lingual writer and educator. She has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize in creative nonfiction (2017), Best of the Net in poetry (2018). Her writing has been published by Lady Liberty Lit, Zócalo Public Square, Yes Poetry, Awkward Mermaid Lit Mag, Rose Quartz Journal, Full Blede, PCC Inscape Mag, ACIC, Spectrum, Entropy, SAGE Publications, UC Press, SUNY Press, Public!: A Journal of Imagining America, Teaching Artist Journal, Tiferet Journal, and Critical Planning Journal. www.amyshimshon.com. Twitter: @amyshimshon IG: @shimshona