skinny dripping (after Ocean Vuong)

Abstract painting with swirls of gold, cream, and teal colored paint. A small area with red pools of paint is towards the bottom right. — “The Dip” by Ryan Seo

you leak
out of heaven
one hot night

and we tell
the grocery
store attendant

we are not together.
we are two fists -
clenched on either side

making ourselves
with effort
and muscle

I also make
a deal
with you

our separate bags
before the sky
I make it

out of me
the bodies of space
have done enough

we do not bother
stealing anything
instead

you teach
me how
to drip

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Josie Levin (she/him) is a visual artist and writer whose work has appeared in several publications, including Kitchen Table Quarterly, Unstamatic Literary Magazine, and Witness.

About the artist

Ryan Seo is a high school student attending Seoul Foreign School in South Korea. He is currently preparing his portfolio. His current interests are in algorithmic art.