Red Death

Heritage Images / GettyAugust 30, 2026, 10 AM ET In the green rooms of the Abandonarium –– Lucie Brock-BroidoRed liquid Pumped through the arm Is it poison or is it bloodThe red bell head Cauldron of mourning The jet of poetry, candied by timeTwo gleaming red glass hearts Beating in the sun I touch themSmell the pinked hyacinth The very nature of things The goddamn essence of thingsRed Hell, Rosa Rubea Burgundy awakening The sparkling red elixir I drinkMy mind suddenly flooding With love and anger The great illusions of our ageDon’t hold back There is a spirit to things Lioness, flamed in redA witchcraft hung Channeled By confusionRed blessings Reddening kisses My ode to beginningWhat would you say, if you could You stand in my living room Still sleepingCome back to me, Sister Come back, Mother Come back, I said, sadlyThe airplane The baby Very smallAnd wavingAbout the AuthorDorothea Lasky is the author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose, including the forthcoming Mother and The Green Lake. Her first novel, Katie, will be out soon. She teaches at Columbia University School of the Arts, where she directs the poetry program.