Take river polished stones: circle the grave count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4. Una para cada elemento. Earth Wind Fire Water. Uno. Dos. Tres. Quatro. Tierra. Aire. Fuego. Agua. Let rich coffee grinds mix with worm-chewed minerals. Dig and dig a cornered moat to keep them out and you in. Embody this diamond: the center refracting particles in a cascade of color.

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Cradle the bulb that will rise. This ovum waiting to be laid in a cave that will shield it of the world from the shadows on the wall. And this egg will do nothing to replace the egg that grew and spread legs and arms through a cracked shell. But you will the petals to open a mouth to the moon. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 You will them: smell the piel that rots beneath these toes, the skin rising in putrid glory.

 

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Valorie K. Ruiz is a Xicana writer fascinated by language and the magic it evokes. She currently lives in San Diego and she is assistant flash fiction editor for Homology Lit. You can read more of her work on her website at www.valorieruiz.com or follow her on twitter @Valorie_Ruiz