by Ryan Keating

I ferment
The body and blood in me
Transcendence churning from within
Punched down and still risen
Skin contact that feels too short
Extracting life-hued complexity
By yeast divinely occurring
Breaking down these cells invisible
Glad-making compounds emerging
Resting, settling for precious clarity
And intensity forged into balance
Until I am drinkable

Ryan Keating is a pastor, writer, and teacher on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. His writing can be found or is forthcoming in publications such as Ekstasis Magazine, Saint Katherine Review, Amethyst Review, and Miras Dergi, where he is a regular contributor in Turkish and English.

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