Cinderella

When I dance it is on stilettos of glass
When I step I never pierce myself
For I am a waltz of shatter
My gown is frosted armor figurine, bodice intricate, sharp
The only thing destined to crack and warp is time
On my wedding day I will be so translucent
Illusory in my unmoving veil
My vows ringing like crystal vessels
Even my voice is inhale exhale of microscopic glass
My bouquet a glimmer burst of collected mirror scraps
Remains of popped bubbles, broken ornaments
All of me refracting
The angled rainbows of the church windows, their shutter arms thrown wide to greet sunlight
Incandescent is my dowry
I am delicate, breakable, unafraid
I have built myself from soot and grist
I can sustain myself with dreams
That mend the cracks and softly melt

Infinity Pool

I realize the veil
of black mesh
dotted with minuscule pearls

is actually the whole night sky
distorted
by aquarium walls of thought
I build around myself

Just when did it become dark?

My head is always swimming

One day I'll smash the glass

Walking in the Snow (a sijo)

plainspoken is a gift; white linen
folded in an even shape
instead i fall to earth with
the messy distinctiveness of snow
complex boot treads of thought
imprint on, then are lost within me  





Mykki Rios is a queer genderfluid Mexican-American poet, performer and multimedia artist. Raised in Chicago, and having lived many places across the globe, they recently returned home to the Windy City. Mykki has had works featured in issues of Welter, Tampa Review, The Bloomin' Onion, HAD, BRUISER Mag, londemere lit, and more. They were also a finalist in Lupercalia Press' 2022 Chapbook Series Contest. Their poems have been nominated for the Monarch Queer Literary Awards and the Pushcart Prize. 

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