Green beans Yesterday I washed the green beansCut off the stem-heavy ends Heated the oilSautéed the garlicDropped in the parsleyLoaded the beans in the potThrew in a chunk of butter(for my thighs)Put the lid on the pot Yesterday I burned the green beansThe smoke detector started singingAt quarter past three alarming meAway from the forest of… Continue reading Poem 7 – Green Beans
Poem 6 – The Pause
The Pause she must rememberto stop forgettingwhat day it is in the grand schemethat is when the blood will flow there is a wreath offorget-me-lots circlingher womb – a halo ofpure blues seeping scentsdrug-like dulling the light that lives in thehearts of her last few eggs no, she is not as ripenor as nimble as heryounger golden garden just… Continue reading Poem 6 – The Pause
Poem 5 – Paris, at dawn
PARIS, AT DAWN Another me slipped under my skinlast night as I was readingshe grabbed onto my spinelike it was a light lamp in Parismy blood – a red-tinged fog She was in Paris swingingaround the post one arm outhugging the belly of the infant morningshe’d been up all night dancingonly the sequence on her… Continue reading Poem 5 – Paris, at dawn
VANESSA SHIELDS 