Holly Day has taught writing classes at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota since 2000. Her poetry has recently appeared in Tampa Review, SLAB, and Gargoyle. Her published books include Walking Twin Cities, Music Theory for Dummies, and Ugly Girl.

The Dove

The bird hides inside, tucked inside my ribcage
the feathers hide my heart. You can smell its desperation on me
even through the cigarette smoke and birthday cologne
huddles dark and black and wet.

The bird is in here, barely visible
damp, white feathers pressed into a tight, red space
flailing in the sick hot summer
midnight heat. We have all become
other women over time, there is no need
to confess.