plucking

by Chel Campbell

—after “Leda and the Swan” by W.B. Yeats and “Leda’s New Coat” by Koss

With sudden blow to beat his great wings still, and neck turned stiff and ready in her hands, Leda holds the dead swan to her chest. She strokes against the lay with mastered scald, presses her quiet strength through leg and breast. Feathers slip like water slicked from a table. She will be the harbinger of brutality’s true end, though she is not much different from any other strange heart who marvels at the rush of bodies unbecoming. The swan, fully undressed, is made as naked as river stone—prettier when submerged. With a shudder, the body turns dry and ugly. Smaller. The kingless gods gaze from the heavens in awe of Leda as she sews his plumage into a new coat. It fits perfectly. A white egg cracks. Death’s indifferent eyes cloud over with the golden yolk of time.

Photo of Chel Campbell

BIO: Chel Campbell is a writer and artist from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She has a micro zine of poetry called Lovebug out with rinky dink press. Recent artwork appears in Wild Roof Journal and Anti-Heroin Chic. Words appear and are forthcoming in matchbook, X-R-A-Y, Pithead Chapel, trampset, and more. They are the EIC of MEMEZINE (@memezinelit). Find them on Instagram @hellochel and say hi :)