If love were a predator,

I’d let it hunt me down.

While it prowled,

I’d shuffle the leaves

just enough to be heard.

I’d welcome the weight

of its body against mine.

And when it struck,

I’d go down smiling—

Let it take me.

Let it tear me open.

Let me blissfully bleed my life away

as its mouth claimed the tender flesh

of my thigh

a mark not of death,

but devotion.

Because life without love

is just survival

anyway.

-M.L.

More from McKenzie Hager ↓

• @lavendermorbs on Instagram
• Her book, Ink, Grace, and F-Bombs, is out now.

Listen to me read another poem by McKenzie on Instagram @rembrandts.cure

Mentioned in this episode:

Write After: National Poetry Month with One Poem Only

Write After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. We'll get started in April. You can share to #WriteAfterOPO.

#WriteAfterOPO