Published in Overland Issue 228 Spring 2017 · Uncategorized Trial Elena Gomez silk nest hull crisp plaits a deck cuffs in flanks The magistrate speaks with circle-shaped lips. The witch remains silent but licking her palm and smoothing the left parting on her hair. The first witness: we could smell the lavender and soon the pigs emerged from the barn and could not look around them. the animals were running very fast in many directions. The witch refuses her name of earthly possession. Magistrate: why do you continue to baste yourself? Murmurs from the crowd: the promise of rejuvenation. Witch: my speech is not ready for you. Read the rest of Overland 228 If you enjoyed this poem, buy the issue Or subscribe and receive four outstanding issues for a year Elena Gomez Elena Gomez is a poet and book editor living in Melbourne. She is the author of Body of Work (Cordite) and a number of chapbooks. More by Elena Gomez › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 26 July 202426 July 2024 · Poetry Song of despair πO A new poem by πO 24 July 202424 July 2024 · pop culture Swamp monster of the rock’n’roll de/generation Rock Chugg In the 1980s, a horrible time was had by all. Yet the assorted Australian talent for making the best of a bad thing, gave us the most important and characteristic popular music genre, locals have (n)ever known.