Bodies of Light

by Jennifer Down

I thought about what it must be like to have siblings, to see your likeness in someone else’s face, to share another’s memories.

Edge of springtime. Magnolias all over campus, silverbeet in our yard, daffodils in the Fitzroy Gardens.

I thought about how algae comes to make its own light.

that there was someone who knew I existed, that someone had looked for me and found me.

the things that I try not to remember are always present.

For years I only wanted something to put my back up against, but now I am trying to be my own spine.