middlelands

in this body i carry dichotomy
& a heavy need
to be seen / bones of the elbow
churn out marrow / i am always making

more of myself / mixed all to hell /
measure me in percentages
build a border / between my lungs
& bring me to your bed

where you can tell me / i’m beautiful
a flavor / you haven’t tried
yet / when you fall asleep / i’ll sneak
to the door, deep-dream the air

i’ll find my father in the field /
i’ll read him Kansas Boy / i swear we hear
the ocean / i swear it on all
my landlocked loves

Kimberly Ramos is a queer, Filipina writer from Missouri. They are currently an undergraduate of Philosophy and Creative Writing at Truman State University. Their work has been published in Southern Humanities Review, Jet Fuel Review, and West Trade Review, among others. Their forthcoming chapbook The Beginner's Guide to Minor Gods & Other Small Spirits is set for publication with Unsolicited Press in 2023.