Jillian M. Phillips
Hellebore
my childhood
full of promise
unexpected
precious
their first care
is to maltreat your petals
they mutilate
torture
I undo the work
of these rough handlers
I promise you
water up to the neck
light up to the eyelashes
you will be able to sleep
alive.
Source Text:
Colette. for a flower album. Trans. Roger Senhouse. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1959.
Medicinal Herbs
my mother never mentioned
abuse
a nomenclature
for women
who valued their reputation
hung their stomachs
destroyed
vanished
Yes, vomit
sick
I observe women
the allusion to
pharmacopoeia
scentless, small
sheets of white
my mother was
violet, lime
orange
yellow
I have forgotten
her
purges
Source Text:
Colette. for a flower album. Trans. Roger Senhouse. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1959.
L’Adonide chez la Concierge
‘Adonis is dead! Adonis is dead!’
a vengeful woman
weeping and weeping
She’s lost her fancy man
naked on the grass
his wounds came over him
Metamorphosed
blood red beauty spot
wretched, worthless flower
‘Adonis is dead! Adonis is dead!’
I’m forever rooted to one spot.
Source Text:
Colette. for a flower album. Trans. Roger Senhouse. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1959.