MANDRAKE

The Queen’s root is divided into five hearts. The sign of the body. Five spots are anointed and the sixth gets an extra push by the indexical finger dipped in mandrake. Opening the heart needs help. The imagination turns black on the eighth count leaving room for all on call to state their names. Chronophagoi. All-y on all-y al-kal-o-id is the mantra of the time eaters. A purple breath is behind the Queen’s back. Her earrings absorb the sense-u-al unknown. All rise for the lawless covenant. The naked and the cloaked play a game of poison.

© Camelia Elias, Mandrake, ink on paper with root, bark, and poppy, 2013

§