watch me open this egg!

the first woman said

cracking the skin

against a cold metal tin

a swift separation

a dead yellow gem

there, it's open

she said

watch me open this egg!

the second woman said

placing the orb

in the encircling arms of a nest

holding it to her chest

for ten thousand breaths

patience,

she said

and said

and said

and said

... and the egg opened itself.

~ Alexandra Franzen