Kristina Heflin: "Unbecoming"

Unbecoming

Like the Tortoise and the Hedgehog,
Best Beloved,
I became something I was not
to protect myself.
A strange, exotic creature
all sliding scales and sly, slanted snout
suspicious of the world I lived in –
but that was not me.
So I began to shed my armour
bit by bit, plate by plate
until I was left so very raw and unprotected.
Ah, but finally!  –
the glow of the sun on my back
the tickle of the breeze on my cheek
the kiss of grass on my feet –
finally I was free.

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Kristina Heflin is the author of the chapbook, iridescent rubble, now available on Amazon. She has served on the editorial board of the literary journal Flumes and been published in journals such as Canyon Voices, Fearsome Critters, Shelia-Na-Gig, Coffin Bell, and Broad River Review among many others. When she’s not writing, she enjoys riding her horse, Lucero, and hiking with her Carolina Dog, Jessie. Visit her at www.sagasandmythos.com, on Facebook @klheflin, and Twitter @KristinaHeflin