& this is my secret work, to be worthy

& this is my secret work, to be worthy

After a line by Ada Limón

nat raum

& these are the wires between
synapses that make me want.
this is my secret heart, made
of sugarglass even though 

i sheathe her in steel for show.
this is my covert undercarriage
of fine porcelain, polished daily.
this is my wishing to be wanted.

nat raum (b. 1996) is a queer disabled artist and writer based on unceded Piscataway and Susquehannock land in Baltimore. They’re the editor-in-chief of the fifth wheel press and the author of you stupid slut, the abyss is staring back, random access memory, and several others. Find them online: natraum.com/links