Cindy Veach
THE WOMAN WHO SWALLOWED A PYTHON
A woman went into her cornfield and swallowed a python.
The cobs were frightened. Even wild boars ran away.
Inside every woman there are monsters. A woman can
swallow and swallow. She can choke down her truth
for a hundred reasons. Unzip her and meet the beasts.
Follow my footsteps. Here are the things you will need:
flashlight, slippers, machete. Come alone. If you’re lucky
you will find her. There will be questions. Can a woman
choke down shame? Can a woman choke down her bones,
her mind? There will be speculation. Who swallowed
whom? Is there a woman inside every monster or monsters
inside every woman? What if both things can be true.
A reticulation of wrinkles and collagen, wisdom
and faux pas, fear and ferocity.