By Emma Johnson-Rivard
I saw a woman’s death mask once, carved so delicately you could reach out
and feel the stones in her throat.
You should know I did not ask for this.
I had no say in my own creation.
This is the trouble. We covet beautiful things;
we cannot let them go.
How strange we are as beasts.
About the Author
Emma Johnson-Rivard is a midwestern writer of poetry and weird fiction. Her work has appeared in Strange Horizons, Coffin Bell, Moon City Review, and others. She can be found at Bluesky at @badcattales and on her website.
About the Artist
Michael Katchan is an illustrator in Denmark. He's addicted to coffee.
Lake by Michael Katchan