Poison Lines

My abuela lines the walls of our house
with poison chalk when she knows
the rains are coming. A makeshift
border to guard against the ants
who can smell the threat
of falling water.

Do they fear the white
attempting to block their hopes
of a dry home?









Valorie K. Ruiz is a Xicana poet fascinated by language and the magic it evokes. She is an MFA Candidate at San Diego State University where she works with Poetry International and volunteers with Poetic Youth. Outside of her poetic work, she enjoys exploring digital literature and can be found working on her Twine game (Brujerías) or making galaxy gato themed websites in her spare time.

See another poem from Valorie in issue 6.1 here.