Seated Woman Donning Her Hat

by Allison Benis White

Never mind eternity. The moment before smoke withers it appears animal. A gray back turned above a white billowed skirt and the charcoal circle fallen around her feet. We will wipe this away later. Her hat is made of ashes. Even with several pins, it is difficult to keep fastened. Arms lifted to center it in the mirror but the tips of her fingers turn black. Whatever she touches afterward leaves headstones of fingertips. Without bodies, they will know where we are. Sifted down her neck and shoulders covered in ash. Her hands held above her head briefly in the air crown the shape of what is no longer there.

—from Self-Portrait with Crayon