the intimacy of skin “…how come, how comeI anticipate nothing as intimate as history would I have had a different lifefailing this embrace with broken things…”From ‘thirsty’ by Dionne Brand nothing is more intimate than skin the bag of itmighty body buttress claspingthe broken & betrayedcupping loss in a wrinkled elbowstanding at attention on the… Continue reading Poem 47 – the intimacy of skin
Tag: Poetry
Poem 17 – Task
Task TodayBetween the Laundry & cookingOver the paperwork & Under the footsteps I will contemplate the stars *FREE* Virtual Poetry Workshop - Spots still open but filling up quickly! Please join me for a three-hour poetry workshop: Intro to Poetry: The Past, The Present, The Power! When: Saturday, February 20, 2021 - 10am -1pm Where:… Continue reading Poem 17 – Task
Poem 16 – Before The Book Is Born Part I
Before The Book Is Born - Part I in a straightjacketmy soul treadsback & forthdiagonal & circularpaths eroding thefloor of my Belonging she bangs her headagainst steel wool wallswon’t eatwon’t drink can’t sleepfor the lunatic lyricsmean melodies tothe Songs of Fearceaseless in the spacelike poison I do not belongcarved in a cornerfrom before Love watches waits Linda… Continue reading Poem 16 – Before The Book Is Born Part I
Poem 15 – Amaryllis II
Amaryllis II I kiss the white waist of her petal closestto my face after I open the curtainsin the living room In response she arches into my cheekwe both smile Then in the kitchenon the crumb-sweateredcutting board – a wishbone in waitdried for weekscrusted in muscle I pick it upconsider the act of a two-persontradition reducedto one Consider the consequence oftesting fortune… Continue reading Poem 15 – Amaryllis II
VANESSA SHIELDS 