Irene Livingston
Open My Drawers
See there how the sun drizzles down the melting
honey-pot sky. Race me around the park
while a stray dog chants muttsy music to the trees.
Get to know the sizzle of a big-boned mountain girl.
My sky is pink and full of strawberry cream.
You can spin in my sunlight, drown in my rain,
agitate my waters, sleep in my lagoons.
Come home with me and run in my garden;
get your feet wet. Open my drawers and I will show you
black stockings and pearls. I will come to you
in nothing but flowers and little white hats.
I will execute short dances in brief kimonos.
Dip down to the bottom of my well
until you find something you like. Play
on my rose violin; discover my happy parts
and fiddle them blissful. Tattoo me the jellyroll blues.
Throw your arms around my thighs, pretend
you’re a cat and lick my wounds. Take your pleasure
and roll it up in rubber bands, then send your vessel
into my choppy sea, your boat rocking
on its heels in my rolling waves. Make my heart sing
till it lays its arms around my neck and weeps.
Never mind the flowers later, with their
thick scent and fruity melancholy. I don’t care
if you leave me by the woodpile with my breath
hanging out and my arms aching, just kiss
my pearls and exit my world with a joyous howl.
0 2nd Prize, Poem of the Year Contest 2005
Arc 55, Winter 2005
Arc 55, Winter 2005
