Instinct

by Eva Alter

If I die by choice I will die in the
wilderness. So many options for a
solitary parting—Perhaps the bears
will consume my curse so it is not passed
on for my family to bear. But for

now—Intuition remains my choice, sense
for repetition honed more than hearing—
Sharp surge as a siren’s scream. I have been
scored again—Drawn in a tidal—Drowned and
freed—Repetitive self-immolation

to atone for sickness: Iterative
shame—Shunned sabotage of self-history—

______

Eva Alter is a poet and cataloger of internal mythologies. Her debut chapbook, AUTOCARTOGRAPHIES, will be published by Eulogy Press in October 2025. She can be found at evaalterpoet.com, @eva_alter_poet on Twitter, and @eva.alter.poet on Instagram.

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