*CONTENT WARNING! The subject matter of this poem is about tampons.* I Was Never Afraid of the Tampon I remember me and my best girlfriendshuddled in the pink-tiled bathroom the rusting tub as witnesssquat-standing, legs open likeo’s, arm swooped, hand gripping the plastic applicator shiny with vaseline– vagina somewhere in the arch ofshadows between my trembling thighs… Continue reading POEM A DAY – April 9
POEM A DAY – April 8
Elementary School in April When I am Nine the daffodils stand like 1950s girls against a greenwall at a dance, arms swaying, hair coiffed, lips puckered in wait. they are everywhere. in front gardens i walk past on the six blocks to school, lunch bucket gripped in my coldhand. backpack heavy with anxiety and books. my kneesnumb… Continue reading POEM A DAY – April 8
POEM A DAY – April 7
Spiritual Vertigo 3 am and i’m spinning blink see stars blink hear my blood moving squeeze eyes shut spinning spinning my brain drowning in a change tornado awake and spinning i am spiral updraft muscles manipulated tensing for ground but there is no ground i can’t feel my feet on the wood spinning spinning blood… Continue reading POEM A DAY – April 7
POEM A DAY – April 6
Monday Couplets last night’s schnitzelis today’s chicken parm the dog toys arescattered on the floor like single sentencesthere are two boxes of three cadburycreme eggs in the cupboard and fourgiant smores cookies on the counterthe marshmallow sticks to the tinfoilmy pants are tight around my waistwhat waist? Ha! I’ll see a doctor soonabout my diseases… Continue reading POEM A DAY – April 6
VANESSA SHIELDS 