Sappho Stanley
Sappho Stanley (They/She) is a trans, Appalachian poet. They are a poetry candidate in The Ohio State University’s Creative Writing MFA. They serve as Poetry Editor and Production Editor at The Journal. You can find their work in or forthcoming in New Delta Review, Hunger Mountain, & South Dakota Review as well as anthologized in Texas Review Press’ Southern Poetry Anthology: Virginia. You can find them on any social media with @sapphostanley
Ode to Bathtub Estrogen
for Lena
I am an apple
grown from sexy
bees
& bruised by
pretty bees
in pink sun-
dresses
who pick me up
in supermarkets
plagued by boys
with lust Love
formed when
bitten
indiscreetly under
fluorescent
lights Friends
kissing
friends because
we’re addicted
to castor oil
covering estrogen
made secretly
in bathtubs
with utensils
from the store
In Ukraine
Lena concocts
“honey” in bathtubs
& I thank her
for jars shipped
because when I do
not pass
on blue
Wednesday mornings
I look like a man
I look like a woman
when the bees can keep
buzzing pink
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