SHE WAS SITTING QUIETLY
WHEN A BEAUTIFUL
YELLOW BUTTERFLY
LANDED ON HER POINTER
FINGER ON HER LEFT HAND
SHE SAT STILL OBSERVING
IT WITH DELIGHT
THEN POP! — SNAP!
SHE STUFFED IT INTO
HER MOUTH

– Amber Fisher

Butterfly Eater

Birds loose in the house. Mountain Dew missing from the fridge. A girl transforming into a golden harp. The writers of Butterfly Eater have a wealth of stories to tell: “I lived 2 / Houses Down from a witch. / But she was nice and became my / Friend” (“Interesting Story”). The natural world permeates this collection, from tomato gardens to moths to willows: “ITS ROOTS LIKE LEFTOVER / FIBERS IN A HAIRBRUSH” (“WILLOW”). The authors dig into their personal roots as well. In the words of one author, “I Love my past life” (“My Life”). The authors of this collection share narratives both playful and poignant, and pockets of beauty are discovered and illuminated through language.

 

Book 74	Summer 2021