Love Poem Number 9

The Grotesque Womb: Empty

Baby says,
"Hush now, Mama.
Don't cry."
I nod my head.
Keep the bastards
Guessing.
Her sound vibrates through the electric cords of my body.
Never to see light, she is my dark daughter.
Dreamer, speaking with a molasses accent. She kicks me awake most
mornings.

Bird Bones

Even an embryo you had the power. You
Curled me up fetus-style.
I shrunk so small I fit in my own womb.
To earn my wisdom I let you lead me to my first death.

Bird Bones

He lives
On the strength
Of another man's words
On a hill
Overlooking
My actions.
Man scent.
I've still got
My tongue on you.

Bird Bones

Swift.
Swift.
Like the empty noose
Swings
In the wind.
A reminder
Of heavier days.
I spent
The whole night dancing
'til I danced
my womb
to empty.
Woman:
A word signifies
Significant other.

Bird Bones

Baby and I pray
The "Our Father."
Man scent.
Now,
I've got some tongue for you.
Let me tell you about

Bird Bones

It's liquid laughter on linoleum.
Baby,
slipping through my fingers,
color of muddy water.
A searing pain between my thighs.

Bird Bones

Selma sharpens up
Her scraping things.
Gives me a loaf of bread.
Says,
"Hold on tight
like the tail end of a dream."

if i stop now how will you know what i've laid to rest?
bird bones

 

---

Jennifer Miller is slowly completing a B.A. in English Literature and Women's Studies at a university in New Jersey.

---

These five poems are part of a series of nine "love poems" that explore ideas of identity and identification through the concept of love.

 

 

Return to Archive