Love, Ophelia

poem by Chelsea Pratt

Pearls mark poison.
The way you shimmer, I should’ve known.
The crown jewel’s love-slicked lips sucked
drought dry. Did I know then I nursed madness
and would I drink again?
Earth’s parched cradle for a moment,
wrapped around the world. No
choice here, not when all narrows to you, Sir.
Where all the world’s wealth lay contained,
worms writhe. I who died once, die again.
With just your mother’s sins as visitors,
I remember still.
Once you filled me –
.                                           now, secrets do.