Memory Palace

A spectral, mineral self

ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL

—
A cultured self. A photosynthetic self. A mnemonic self. A mechanical self. A spectral, mineral self.

The crab, who moves backwards, forwards, and sideways, at will;
across the stage, through the garden, up the back wall, and into the street.

You lie under cool enormous leaves. An apronful of green ripples, pickled on your lap.
No, no – there. It’s an umbrella above you, see?

As though at the edge of sleep, all the rooms of a rainy day.

(Source: Hannah Acton and Tess Rafael in conversation)