Swamp's Son

Sap crawled out of mother's blackest water—the ichor gluing leaves to his palms as he clawed at summer's sheddings like a babe seeking breast.

Screeching saws had beckoned him. With each step he swelled, 'til mountainous.

Collapsing, he smothered the sparking blades.

He sucked bones, steel, screams—sucked all into soil.

Monica is a speculative fiction author, poet, writing contest goblin, and “the best mommy ever.”