Originally from Maine, Nell Smith is an interdisciplinary writer based in the Southwest. Her poetry and prose have appeared or is forthcoming in Electric Literature, Southeast Review, Khôra, Flyway, Sugar House Review, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Environment & Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming and works in the field of collaborative conservation.

VISIT WWW.NELLSMITHWRITER.COM

BACK OF THE ENVELOPE

I TRY TO WRITE THE DEAD BLUE WHALE, PARTIALLY BURIED IN THE SAND OF TIBURÓN

By NELL SMITH

From its jaw, Héctor peels a sample of skin. Cuts baleen from its mouth. My body is in waves. The urge to turn from this great unspooling overtakes me.