And how

Mary Zhou

     to: build a shrine atop: a rattan dresser peanut butter jar of: Brita water sandalwood from: a self-care gift bag mass-produced white lotus bowl from: the white-owned Japanese-inspired stationery store later spotted sold for: half the price at: a Chinatown gift shop. Y-shape stick from: the edge of: the dog park. Imageless shrine. Praying to:              knows who. For spirit hunger: “Cara Cara orange” or: “Gala apple.” No sound in these states like: success or: peace:

 

                                   Orange: Orifice

                                   Apple: Appall

 

     Three stacked in:  a desperate time toppling at:  random. Once: a Florida grapefruit bowl full symbol of: nothing but: its own: scent : : :

about the author
Mary Zhou

Mary Zhou

Mary Zhou is a multimedia artist from Orange County, California, exploring Chinese ancestral spirituality and queer diasporic identity. They are the author of chapbook cave mouth tongue loose (The Head & The Hand Press, 2024) and their work is forthcoming or published in Michigan Quarterly Review, swamp pink, The Offing, and Fence. Mary has received fellowships and support from Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Tin House, Kenyon Review Writers Workshop, and VONA/Voices.