content warning: abuse, self-harm
estival (n.): of or relating to the summer
The twins
dip their toes
in the crystal-clear water.
a temporary tattoo
begins to fade
from the skin
of a flat-chested genderqueer child.
their sister recalls
how in the years before
their father would cause them to hurt
it was he, not the twins
who drew blood with a blade
on his own arm, then ordered
the same
of them
recalling these days
made them feel the urge
again and again and again
but swimming with scars –
healed, healing, or fresh –
was causing them
both some discomfort
Bio:
Elliott Graves (they/them) is a disabled, queer, & trans writer. They can be found on social media @softpunkbunny, where they regularly muse about loving their friends, baseball, hockey, and rabbits!