[induction in self-loyalty]
by Angela Peñaredondo
hollow out a small patch of earth the width of a spinnaker
observe a pattern in the flood
become stone in a gale
dive as an albatross seizing food that sears where sap flowed
learn multiple rituals of femme audacity
abandon pretty in the arroyo
seize desire without others
peel another layer of spectral radiance for every intimate question
allow each empty part to be driftwood
return in any order or fashion but honor the return
Angela Peñaredondo is a queer Filipinx, interdisciplinary writer and educator. Peñaredondo is the author of nature felt but never apprehended (Noemi Press), All Things Lose Thousands of Times (Inlandia Institute, Winner of the Hillary Gravendyk Regional Book Prize) and Maroon (Jamii Publications). Their work has appeared in The Academy of American Poets, Pleiades, Michigan Quarterly Review, Southern Humanities Review and elsewhere. They've received fellowships and awards from Hedgebrook, Kundiman, Macondo, TinHouse, the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown among others. They are Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at California State University San Bernardino. Currently, Peñaredondo lives in Los Angeles with their partner and many cramped plants. Follow them on @domaindenarwhal or www.angelapenaredondo.com