The Moon Queen’s Harvest

Alicia Hilton

Nightshade
malignant tumors
spread in her breasts

Weeping Willow
she sings a sorrowful ballad
beside the open window

Dragon Lily
her song conjures solace
arriving on batwings

Red Peony
she bares her soul and throat
for the moon queen

Stinging Nettle
fangs sink into her neck
her own canines grow

Night-blooming Jasmine
tumors shrink
love blossoms

Resurrection Flower
metamorphosis complete
embracing immortality

Birds of Paradise
leathery wings unfurl
they fly into the night

Alicia Hilton is an author, law professor, arbitrator, actor, and former FBI Special Agent. Her work has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, DreamForge, Litro, Sci Phi Journal, Space and Time, Vastarien, Year’s Best Hardcore Horror Volumes 4, 5 & 6, and elsewhere. Alicia’s website is https://aliciahilton.com.