Ritual by Juliette Sebock

I slather lavender over my body
as if it’s holy oil,
consecrating—

I brush through my hair
in long strokes,
100 in all,
until it expands
from the friction,
slides down the skin
of my spine
like—

I slip into satin,
press my hand
to my stomach
and feel my breath—

I sigh
by moonlight
as I close my eyes—