There is no air conditioning in our apartment

by Spencer Diaz Tootle

save for the heirloom, single unit
stuffed clumsily into our bedroom window
held steady by a pair of dutiful anthologies
stoic in their sacrifice
we freeze red seedless grapes by the bunch
to cool us
pop our corn on the stove
(for we are also wanting a microwave)
the screen door screeches
catches me by surprise
announces your return from the basement
my god you are so beautiful
laundry in tow
quarters spent
step over the wet tongue of our doormat, my darling
I am prepared to swallow you whole

Spencer (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in Savannah, Georgia, now based in Chicago. A 2019 National Network of Abortion Funds Movement Maker, she is excited for her lived experiences as an abortista to shape her work as WRITER, performer and care-worker. She was a 2020-2021 NBCUniversal Bob Curry Fellow at The Second City and has gone on to perform in multiple revues with the institution. Her poetry has been published in periodicals such as The Lucky Jefferson and Prometheus Dreaming, among others. You can find her on instagram @spencerdiaztootle. She would love to help connect you with funding for your abortion, should you ever need it.