A Poem by Camille Hernandez

cosmonaut walks into a bar to find

a space between my heart and anxiety
the moon could fit… add a couple galaxies
arthritic hands stay holding heartache
smelly.   like eucalyptus and tragedy and
eyes wide open WaitingWaitingWaiting
for the plan+et to unfold

Beneath space is a womb, everturning
like a star imploding.     how I wish I could reach
into expanse & abolish sunken barbed wires
feel jagged edges rip through my opening
bleeding, bleeding, forever bleeding
this is my blood, given up for republic

what is faith if not blood obsession?

teach me (again) of spilled blood sacrifices
and how every good news needs
red drops kissing oxygen, turning brown
today—I am kissing airless
lungs consuming black holes
SearchingSearchingSearching for new plan-ets

I am the rage, the poisoned waters,
starving mothers, cell block boogie,
chronic twenty-three hour eclipses

hold up a Black boy, find a map:
stars moons blue bullet hole designs to
find space between heart and anxiety

what is faith if not blood obsession?
I am seeking new plan(ets)
manifesting galaxies who
never   bled
bleeding
bloodied

Camille Hernandez is a writer, educator, community organizer and coach blending leadership development and pastoral care to help abuse survivors find their voice, develop self-compassion practices, and deepen their spiritual journey. You can find her online at @hellocamilleh on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.