Lila Cutter

Shadowgraphy

Two hands play bird
across the night wall
finger-tall wingspan           

flashlight moon
mount of venus
as heron swell—it’s a wonder 

the ways the body transfigures
reforms—my body is fever-ripe
in pre-sleep like a candle 

in a shadowbox—what’s the name
for the game
where we’d put our hands 

in long black gloves and trace
without touch
sometimes bread an antique 

compact an egg
made of marble
heavy in the palm

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Lila Cutter is a Midwest poet with an MFA from Oregon State University and a background in equitable arts education work. Her poetry often centers on perceptions and pressures of femininity as well as considerations of home. Lila’s work can be found in Sugar House Review, The Citron Review, Miniskirt Magazine, Ursus Americanus Press and The Racket Journal, among others.