He Builds Walls with Words
by Pheobe Woofter

He carves shame into womanflesh
Bits of blood and bone hang from notches in his belt
He slides the snake stained scarlet from his hips
Brandishing a mace in battle

He moves his fingers over pages and
Rips truth from the spine
He glues his desires in its place
Bending story to his will

He builds walls with words
He kisses cloth spangled with
Patriotism
Stained with a destiny not so manifest
After all

image by poet

Phoebe Woofter (she/they) is an outdoorsy Portlander who graduates from University of San Diego with a degree in English this May. Her work has appeared in Human/Kind Journal, Vamp Cat Magazine, and College Magazine. She is passionate about destigmatizing the lesbian identity and reconnecting humanity with their environment.