Thirteen and a half attempts to kiss you by Mary Zhou

Every ridge
of this white

sheet is one
more form my

skin leaves no
mark on.

Scarved necks in
frost don’t keep 

copy of
my clamp prints.

Quiet cling 
of line to 

page only 
presses open 

more space. 
Remember 

me. Pursed lips.
I will try

and put my
mouth a place

where it can
rest next time.

I keep trying
to put my

mouth a place
where it can

rest this time.

Mary Zhou (they/she) is a poet and movement artist based in Philadelphia. They have received support from VONA/Voices and Kenyon Review Writers Workshop. Their work is shared in The Rumpus, The Offing, Foglifter, Oversound, and ANMLY.

16 September 2024