Ruston, 1972
by Samantha Malay
published by TINGE Magazine, May 2021
forty-three feet above sea level
on a landfill peninsula
shaped by sediment and slag
a copper-smelting smokestack
melted nylon stockings
off backyard laundry lines
a mile away
seahorses curled
in tidal pools
we sat on old bath towels
creosote and kelp
our backs to the waves
samanthamalay.com 