Lily Ladewig

Thumbelina

Let’s be thumb-sized.
Both begotten by barley.

I’ll cover you in a mint leaf,
unpetalling our coverlets.

Kidnap me. Espouse me
to the toad wearing a top hat.

To the mole. The animal bride
in all variants of the tale type.

Humble. My trousseau
of black fur

in the harshest of climates.
To escape, undo my sash.

Tie me to the butterfly.
Steal out the door

to glimpse the sky.
It came to the reviving

of the swallow. The moribund
bird. Tender ministrations

tore his wings
on a thorn bush.

I will find you,
winged husband.

You are the flower’s angel.
You are transparent as islands.