Threnody
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“Threnody” is a drabble. It was originally published by Hungry Shadows Press as a part of their Deadly Drabble Tuesday's series.
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“Threnody” is no longer available through the original publisher. It is available in full below…
Threnody
by Alicia Adams
© 2024 Alicia Adams
All my patients come to me with a sore throat. I hook them up to IVs as their bones shrink and hollow. I bring them medicine as their bodies contract and purge—their hospital beds filling with blood and fat.
Then their skin goes prickly, and they start to grow feathers—white and brown and gray. By the time their beaks come in, I open the window and send them out.
I haven’t told anyone about the tickle in the back of my throat.
Maybe I’m allergic to birds.
Maybe there’s a song in me that’s dying to come out.