Jennifer Lynn Krohn
“Nothing about her is human except she is not a wolf.” — Angela Carter
I made an appointment.
After I threw a glass
against the wall to see
if I could shatter
something. After I tore
pages from my favorite
childhood books,
the stuffing out
of a beloved teddy bear.
After I lost my words,
could only scream.
After I dreamed
that I stood between
two Carnac stones
waiting for wolves.
I wanted to tell
the doctor I’m pregnant
with rage. I feel it
stretching my skin.
It will tear open
my abdomen.
A muzzled head
will emerge, followed
by a pair of hairy arms.
The rest of my flesh
pulled off like a limp
dress. I was terrified
she’d take my metaphors
literally. Instead I said
I’m pissed off
all the time. I need
to know how
to control my anger.
She explained
Only men have anger
issues. You’re just
depressed. Even simple
language cannot
be believed. I filled
the prescriptions,
went to bed.
A wisdom tooth cutting
my gums woke me.
I ran my tongue
over the knife-sharp edge.
***
Jennifer Lynn Krohn was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she currently lives with her husband. She earned her MFA from the University of New Mexico, and she currently teaches English at Central New Mexico Community College. She has published work in Glass: A Journal of Poetry, Necessary Fiction, Storm Cellar, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, and Gingerbread House Literary Magazine among others.