Content Warning: dark themes, blood, gore
Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad – Cannibal eyes
She stirs in the damp foliage when
the sun grows cold, the monsoon cloud
of her body surging with each fading ray.
Eternal return—revenge etched on her tongue,
silhouette of throbbing limbs stretches to
fearsome fullness. At dusk—invincible,
the might of a thousand elephants ripples
through her sinews. She snakes into ether
lumbering on ursine feet, putrid rain pouring
from her pores. On burnt earth below,
ashes of holy fires hiss, befouled by blood
and bile. Frightened ascetics scatter.
She of the cannibal eyes, scans the cosmic void —
planets teeter in their orbits, stars quake and flee.
Note: Based on the story of Taraka, from The Ramayana
Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad is an Indian-Australian artist and poet who was raised in the Middle East. Her art and poetry have been published in both print and online journals and anthologies including The Eunoia Review, Vita Brevis Press, Bracken Magazine, and Black Bough Poetry. Her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and her art multiple times for The Best of The Net. She serves as a chief editor for Authora Australis. She lives and works in Sydney on the traditional lands of The Eora Nation. Find her @oormilaprahlad and www.instagram.com/oormila_paintings
Photograph: Come a Little Closer by Devon McConnell Bacon
Devon McConnell Bacon is a writer and photographer. They live in the mountains with their partner, kids, and dogs. They can be found @Ravenlore23 on Twitter.