Poetry – Forests of Appalachia – Marshal Acquaroli

Appalachia The Forest of

A forest, a home, a body, a being Infested with things you will never understand It’s a heart, rip it open, feel it pulsing Crush its muscles between your hands

If you see something, hear something It was just a dream, you’re fine Don’t repeat what you saw, it wasn’t real Don’t address it, ignore it, you’re crazy, you’re lying

The soul of Appalachia, the heart of the woods You don’t know what you’ll find Don’t walk through the tender forests at night You’ll lose your life, or just your mind

The body walking to you is not your lover Run as far and as fast as you can Feel its skin, it’s too cold to be theirs Kill it with nothing but your bare hands

Marshal Acquaroli, 12

rhymed verse

Hands in Blood

Alua Tazhbayeva, 11 digital art