159159

I think you long 
for the days when 
I was still a part of you. 

Developmentally, 
there’s a period 
where the born baby 
still cannot distinguish 
itself from the mother. 

How long does it take 
for the mother to 
distinguish itself 
from the baby? 

What happened when you 
realized you couldn’t see 
your face in my reflection?  

I think you long 
for the days 
when I made you 
feel whole. 

After birth, the uterus 
is a gaping wound, 
“dinner plate sized.” 

To fill the void,  
did you start putting me  
on your platter? 

Thin, spaghetti hair. 
Candy apple cheeks. 
Olives for eyes. 
Did I taste good going down? 

Elizabeth Terhorst

Fatal Development



160

Marshmallowy fists. 
Plucked chicken thighs. 
Fleshy, full lips. 
Did I curb your craving? 

I see your face  
in my reflection 
with my blood  
dripping down your throat. 

Was it worth it? 
Do you feel whole again? 

I don’t think I’ve ever felt whole, 
but I’m afraid of building something 
I cannot help but bite into.