An old woman gave me a geode to cure anxiety
but no instructions on how to break it open
and let the magic bleed out.
I remember the joy I felt at first,
clenching the rough dragon’s egg
which would set me free, until I tried
to smash its secrets apart—my fingers
bled all over the dense crystal prison
concealing amethyst, dolomite, quartz.
Hacksaws, hammers were no use; my teeth
broke tasting stone then the rock lodged
in my throat after shredding my tongue
until that same old woman slapped me so hard
I began heaving up bile, blood, and great globs of anxiety—
eventually, I spit the god-damned geode out.
You’re welcome, she said.