The Nettle Grove
the trunk of this rowan tree feels so tender against my back
that someday I will look to it and remember this moment
of sitting with you in the grass with the hem of your dress
brushing against the hairs on my thigh and your hands inside mine
this moment is so precious to me that one day in your absence
the memory of it will make me cry
and when that day of your absence comes, and after it does
to that nettle grove buried in the closure of twigs
which you guided me to
through the path between the juniper berries
where once to each other we were new
I will never return
nor to that crevice between the pine trees
where in between your elbows I felt
so warm and safe that I almost fell asleep
will I ever return
if it must be without you
to those places where once to each other we were soft
and sweet I will never return after that day comes
when never again I will intertwine my fingers with yours
and never again I will read my poems
to you
but even so when that day comes, and after it does –
if I were to touch you
again with my lips
or again with my palms
would you close your eyes?
Ayshe-Mira Yashin (she/her) is a lesbian artist and poetess from Istanbul, Turkey and Nicosia, Cyprus. She makes feminist, body-positive and sapphic art revolving around themes of the occult and spirituality. She is currently working on her tarot deck, as well as a series of illustrated poetry zines. She sells original bookmarks, stickers, necklaces and art prints on her independently managed shop at http://www.ayshemira.com, and is also open for commissions. Follow her on Instagram @illustrationwitch.
The Literary Forest Poetry Magazine 