Chained Woman

By Emma Bernstein

Andromeda,

Flesh spun into stars

Crooked limbs

Stretched like galaxies across blueberry-velvet skies

You tremor above pavement

Cast your frail glow on autumn evenings

Andromeda,

My lonely sacrifice

Appease our gods

With their ice-carved features

Find me absolution for my sins

Andromeda,

My wayward flame

Bound to stone

Bound to constellations

Plush lips bellow mournfully

As I watch from my window

Forgive me,

My darling Andromeda

I have fallen from grace

My wings are dust

White ash drifting listlessly

Through gray fingers

And I fear you are my redemption