All the Days of Death

By Payton Tu

I dig my grave beside yours.

Wild sprouts line the ground, daisies and overripe strawberries scattered under the pomegranate tree. I snap a fruit off its bud. Maroon-red juice stains my jeans as I rub it between my fingers, reminded of your splashed blood and the pale cuts mirrored on your wrists. To think you tried to run from me through death, tried to hide when I told you it was futile. I am the embodiment of Hades, my dear, darling Persephone. You were running into my kingdom.

I smile with pomegranate-stained teeth, because death will never again do us part.