Alchemy
by RACHEL NEIMAN
My room is my altar.
Protection lines the base boards
& hope polishes the window glass.
My mirror reflects reflects mirror my.
Salt, citrus, & lavendar.
I am the wind
supplying fresh air;
slipping through the window crack
twirling wind chimes
calming tuneless melody.
I am the water,
peaceful & powerful
tears made of happy glitter;
nourishing potted plants & herbs
sprouting blooming creeping.
I am the earth
steady & constant—
my floor may be slanted,
but my foundation is grounding.
Place your ear to me & breathe in to breathe out.
I am the fire
nostrils filled with soot
marked with ash like Wednesday;
manifesting through destruction
incinerating resurrection.
I am the altar
not the sacrifice.
Rachel Neiman (pronounced like Billy Nye-man) originated amongst the desert red rocks & graduated with a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University. After living in four states and four countries, she permanently traded in the cactus needles to settle into Chicago’s lake effect to earn her Associates in Mortuary Science at Malcolm X College. Her work has been featured in Written on a Napkin’s zine The Way Time Moves and in your local Logan Square-featured readings & open mics. @rachelshaye on Instagram.