Opaline Earrings

Emily Leibert

Diamond-encrusted opaline earrings lost under a twin-XL bed in a dorm room in Los Angeles.

Diamond-encrusted opaline earrings upon the swollen finger of a thief, a neighbor.

Opaline earrings under my tongue, piercing skin between chin and throat. 

Opaline earrings pulsing, a throbbing erection beating against my back,

Nudging, disturbing, demanding, wanting.

Opaline earrings forced through your cornea.

Opaline earrings drawing blood.

Opaline earrings, murderous, wanting.

Emily Leibert is a Brooklyn-based culture writer and movement artist with Southern California roots. Previously a staff writer at Jezebel, she specializes in creative nonfiction about the interconnectivity of beauty and intellectualism, and has written features and profiles for New York Mag’s The Cut, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Allure, and more. She is needlessly obsessed with blue eyeshadow, ring girls, and sea glass. She is currently working on her first novel.

Instagram: @emilyleibert

Twitter: @by_emilyleibert