The Ladybug and the Parasitic Wasp by Marisa Silva-Dunbar
CW: Alcohol, alcohol abuse
For two months I didn’t carry your burdens.
People marveled at the wings I sprouted—
how I woke up to myself again, felt magic
when I heard the wisteria murmuring to me
in the mornings, winding its vines and leaves
from my garden to my windowsill
Tonight, I am trapped in worry—
the sticky threads of the addiction you cocooned
yourself in, paralyze me in trepidation.
I cannot think my way out of this manipulation.
I am unable to escape being your zombified protector.
Marisa Silva-Dunbar's work has been published in Sledgehammer Lit, Better Than Starbucks Magazine, Chantrelle's Notebook and Pink Plastic House. She has work forthcoming in the Daily Drunk Magazine. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @thesweetmaris. You can find more of her work at www.marisasilvadunbar.com.