My Aloe

this morning I woke up spiny and sharp-tongued
turned my eyes towards the sun

some things are born this way       long slice
down the midsection

where I am cut, the living gel pours out
glutinous

after the night has gone, persistence
of dreams

think of a mirror       memory of a mirror
slippery as mercury, a crystal
splitting the day into shards

like you, Vera, I am a woman       your desert
is my silence