The closest thing I’ve had
to a tragic embrace
was deflating an air mattress

I fell with all my weight, eyes closed
because I knew she’d catch me all the same
because I knew I was inflicting her
with a slow,
tortuous
death

Upon impact, she wrapped around
my outstretched limbs
as if I were a river
protected by her charcoal mountains
and everything else felt like confetti

Natalie (she/her) is a junior at Barnard studying English and creative writing. She’s from Long Island and can usually be found among the trees in Riverside Park, listening to music. You can find her on Instagram @nataliedifusco