Performative Documentary
PERFORMATIVE DOCUMENTARY
ACT I
you name my bruises after bodiless
slaughters: catharsis, carnage, carcass, but
against the flatbed of your tongue i am
untitled #137 and you bookmark the quiet
sound of blood clots being born between my
legs. i decide then that i hate you.
ACT II
later, i say: look how i emulate flooding,
boy, as i drown your hands between my
thighs. call myself río de venganza. call this
a soon-to-be water exodus. i say: look how i
domesticate your erection, boy. i say: look
how you flatline for me, boy.
ACT III
you say: please, and then you come to the
sound of me insulting you in another
language. i name you mayatero. i name you
victoriano huerta. i name you el chacal. i
name you el niño trágico. you gasp against
my rivers, waterlogged, and after it is over i
send your ghost away with my ruined sheets
and your ruined ribs.
Song: Mystery Girl by Alexandra Savior
ILLUSTRATION BY EUGENIA LOLI
Euegnia Loli is a filmmaker and collage artist. Originally from Greece, she’s now spent many years living in California. Before art took over her life she worked in the technology sector. Find out more on her Tumblr.
Elisa Luna-Ady is a soft-eyed Chicana from Southern California. She’s the co-founder and managing editor of Kerosene. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Cosmonauts Avenue, Spy Kids Review, Noble Gas Quarterly, and elsewhere. She tweets @astronomyhoe.