Two Poems by Nicole Tallman

White Light

Who decides what’s wrong and what’s
right? So many people suffered to perfect
this drug. Before the irises bloomed,
there were lilies. A warm frost covers
everything snug. Moss and stones—all
their insides grown green. I watch a nurse
refill her gaping white jug. There’s a field of snow
and a field of sun. Do you want the frost
or the hug? Take the white light in,
and you can let everything go.

Black Light

There’s a cathedral at the end of this
chapter. I don’t make the rules, but no one
can go. Once, when I was delirious, I saw
the devil. Her red horns and wings
were dusted in snow. Hell isn’t as hot
as they say it is. Nothing is true,
we know. There’s a field of poppies
and a field of roses. Do you want the high
or the thorns? Take the black light in,
and you can’t let anything go.

Nicole Tallman is the author of three collections: Something Kindred, Poems for the People, and FERSACE. She serves as the official Poetry Ambassador for Miami-Dade County (Florida, USA), Poetry and Interviews Editor for The Blue Mountain Review, and Editor of Redacted Books. Find her on social media @natallman and at nicoletallman.com.