Belen

 I bought beer although I can’t drink it. I saidlet’s go or I said stay here. I ovulated& kept it a secret. My cervix was pink & ripe.The car was ready, revving. I stashed mangoesin the back, said I’m a passenger here but I’ll hand youall your snacks & rub your sunscreen on.The crossword had a clue about Queen Victoria& it was strange imagining her serious English lacehere where the sun is forever. I want the sun to be forever.I want you to be forever. I want all the partsof me open & slick & ready to receive.____Carrie Murphy is the author of the poetry collection PRETTY TILT (Keyhole Press, 2012) and the chapbook MEET THE LAVENDERS (Birds of Lace, 2011). Her second full-length book, FAT DAISIES, is forthcoming in 2014 from Big Lucks Books. She received an MFA from New Mexico State University. Originally from Baltimore, MD, Carrie works as a teacher, freelance writer, and birth doula in Albuquerque, NM.