False Contrapuntal with Trauma Response – Alyson Kissner

I always forget                I always remember
to open the door               to feed the foxes
to close the chicken coop      our hallway’s lengthening eye
the width of my body           the width of my body
my dreams                      your hair, parabola-wrapped
siren of a river flood         the snake we found in wheatgrass
                 humming its slumber
I can never forget             I can never remember

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Alyson Kissner is completing her PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh. Both her creative and critical practices centre themes of abuse, trauma, and tenderness. Alyson has most recently published in The Rumpus. She may be reached @alykissner for both questions and community.