What Binds Us

By Erika MacNeil

I tug at the knot 

my wrists wrapped and caught 

as metal ring clinks 

Strung up straight laced 

Arms criss crossed embraced 

pulley cinched, pulsing ink 

You lean in real close 

Ropes taut against post 

Silent stealth in the dark 

You circle me slowly 

Then swallow me wholly 

As I wait for your mark 

Not yet, you say 

Then you pause, back away 

Exhale out, breath held in 

I mouth with wet lips 

Bound, gagged and whipped 

And so, it begins 

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Bio: Dancer by training, teacher by trade, writer on a whim. Erika (she/her) is the librarian at Rogers PS in Newmarket where she lives with her family and hosts open mics and writing workshops. Her work has been published with Rice Paper, The Last Stanza and CommuterLit. Her poetry was recently featured on Howl Radio and she is currently completing a chapbook manuscript: ‘Full Deck’, a series of poems shared in seasons. Follow Erika on Instagram: @hintsofgrey and Substack: @writeronawhim