by: Amanda Holstien
in Marfa, TX
“The Mandrakes Give off a Fragrance”
For Leah to give away
a night with Jacob;
The mandrakes give off a fragrance
to produce hallucinations,
hallelujah,
a secret, poetic elixir,
which is why they call it occult.
How the Song of Solomon is
an alchemical text,
the plants and perfumes
speaking their language
to activate with lemon and verbena.
One time I drank this
substance
to forfeit the mind
and induce seduction,
for it is no longer I who live,
but Christ who dwells in me.