Kwan Ann Tan is a Malaysian writer and a medievalist-in-training. Her work is published or forthcoming in Joyland Magazine, The Mays Anthology, Sine Theta Magazine, and others. You can find her at kwananntan.carrd.co or on Twitter: @KwanAnnTan.
When the rain came, sweet earth bloomed. /
The river’s wound healed, swelling to meet /
the first lightning strike in a kiss. Still buried /
in the silt of the riverbed, I opened my mouth /
to taste the first drop—as acrid as raw honey.