the hollow becoming

"Oak Tree" by David Avila

i believe this is
in fact the big dipper
scooped out

not a gorge
but a gorgeousness

nature made them
first you know
these many-sided shapes

mazes cut not grown
each plant a pixel

when i am sliced down my center
out will come the always
teething parts of me

crowds of people
who stumble down city blocks
each holding their own bouquet

believe me
believe me

something warm will press
tight against my chest

About the author

Sullivan Jordan (they/them) is a disabled, nonbinary poet from the South with an MFA in poetry from Columbia University. Their work explores the body, queer relationality, and the concept of the natural through their experience of disability and transness. Their work can be found in issue 5 of Sick Magazine, fifth wheel press’ dreamland anthology, and the Beyond Queer Words Anthology. They can be reached on instagram @fruitappreciator.

About the artist

Having experienced psychosis as a teen, later diagnosed with schizophrenia, David Cleofas Avila writes and makes art & music in order to better square away the sequelae of life. His art is available at www.davidcleofasavila.com, while his music is on Spotify, iTunes, iHeart Radio, and other online outlets, with his poetry published in Oddball Magazine, The Poetry Cove, and WILDSound Poetry Festival.