Double Consciousness

The world works in waves.

Gravitational push

to some distant shore. Perhaps

it is death (the heat & pulse of
unknowing) that sends our havoc

through the fabric—

Our gill nets torn & fraying—

Both fisherman & fish—

How to catch
            ourselves
in the cradle—

how to soothe
            this sting—

this sharpening

lure—

O curved hook

of longing—

How to keep this meat
            untainted—pure—

thin sinews & the stink
of guts—

the scales stripped—
dumped in a bucket—

Everything is awful

and here I am
full of awe
at my own
iridescence.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Alicia Hoffman now lives, writes, and teaches in Rochester, New York. Her poems have appeared in a variety of publications, including The West Review, Radar Poetry, The Penn Review, Glass: A Poetry Journal, The Night Heron Barks, SWWIM, and elsewhere. Her new book, ANIMAL, is out now from Futurecycle Press. Find her at: www.aliciamariehoffman.com.