“pluming in bed” by Kris Van der Bijl

Mave again 

eating  //  plums  //  in the bed

with purple skin  //  gaping  //  between your front teeth

and juice squirted onto the 

duck-down duvet

where 

we keep our heads  //  Ostrich-ed  //  together

smelling sweat   //  farts  //  and

giggling over the rain outside

the warmth of the feathers 

red rustling the 

trees outside

remember

you told me the rain swept through your own home so that

you left your brother to nail down the parents  //  suede  //  couches

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Kris Van der Bijl is currently working towards his honours degree in English literature at Rhodes University. His writings have been published in the likes of JA and Odd Magazine. His interests lie in African literatures’ in English. He hopes to one day be called up-and-coming.