Chimera by Vievee Francis

Chimera

by Vievee Francis

(published in her 2016 book from TriQuarterly Books, Forest Primeval)

She's not "maternal," she's dangerous.

                       —Jamaal May

I have no charms. Admittedly.

No gold comb can move through

This mane. My skin is not translucent.

Mine is a tail to fear. I know.

And though a mother may destroy,

She too sees fit to create beauty

That would eventually grow into forms

I would swallow if I gave in

To my hungers. But, up from my wounds—

From this goat's body...