their pen marks scream amongst a mosaic  
of brightly colored sacks 
filled to the border 
10.5 tons on the verge of eruption 
8 years contained  
thousands of days held at borders 
now released 
some see letter opener as weapon 
she cuts back the envelope of violence 
sharp to edge 
hoping to not bleed for once 
she still bleeds 
her family is starving  
for potatoes & olives 
dates & peaches  
all she got was mail 
happy to get their letters -- thousands of days late 
happy to get their letters -- broken and damaged 
happy to see pen marks scream at her 
a daunting flitter 
broken & damaged 
released after 8 years 
delivered 4 weeks after august 
a daunting flitter 
broken & damaged 

Avi Prager(they/them) is a poet, fiber artist, and part-time hermit living in Seattle, WA. Their poetry has been featured in Lily Poetry Review, Apogee Journal, The Gateway Review, and more. You can find Avi on Instagram @aviautonomous.