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Ellen Kombiyil

The Parting of the Sun and Moon
(for Jaelyn Ada)

She is about to be born and I am alive for sunrise. Her head's bony pressure is at the final turn as sun sears sky brilliant orange.

I am all body and the force of my body, pushing. I am only this vertical expulsion. Her wriggling free belongs to both of us, an echoed motion. She propels herself into the sun of surgeon's lights, eyes bruised shut.

I am no longer ocean but flowing river. She is no longer fish but sleek bird. How to explain our separate bodies, wearing different expressions?

the pale moon rises
for a few moments she reflects
the sun's red light

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