Natalie Schriefer

Body as Universe

My body is a universe.

It contains constellations,

star systems, a map—

my desire for the women

I pretend I don’t want.

They’re imprinted on me

anyway, these nebulae

of yearning, the shoulders,

hips, souls I must cross

an event horizon to touch.

It’s only at night, in the dark,

that I can admit it: I’m ashamed.

Haven’t I always been? Hasn’t

that always been the problem?

The sheet rests against my skin,

bare, this milky way of cotton

wrapping a universe of fear,

denser than a black hole.

One day I will unlearn it.

One day I will glow.

Bio

Natalie Schriefer often writes about sexuality, shame, and coming of age. She loves asking people about their fictional & celebrity crushes (hers is Riza Hawkeye from Fullmetal Alchemist). Natalie works as a freelance writer and editor. Home base: www.natalieschriefer.com. Find her on Twitter @schriefern1.