The Brooklyn Rail

OCT 2019

All Issues
OCT 2019 Issue
Poetry

ab020577




Sallow night
worms magnified
with moon light.
“Sammy, are you here?”
A plate falls.
“Don’t know why I didn’t come.”
Pull the espresso shot.
Drench the pool of light from the moon.
Howl. That was unnecessary.
I am not the wolf.
I am more like a slimy eel these days.
Let me pull you closer to me.
The chest is full of gold.
Children going home from school.
Dancing crossing streets.
Staying with you for all time.
Who can say?
When will the cookie come back?
You don't know what the nights are like.
Missing the perfect laugh in secret.
Oh, put some ice in it.
Sing out loud and go to the moon.
The light sings a beautiful song.
Francis is here. What a saint.
Play that music.
Swing, swing, swing in spring
Lost and insecure corn muffin
Hold on to me.
Slurp. Can I enjoy a drink?
Another day with ketchup on the counter.
Wind swept off feet.
Enter the Milky Way.
Did you find yourself?
Heroes bleed.
“Would you like some more hot water?”
First, break all of the rules.
Does it feel like home?
What is mine is yours.
Crumple the paper.
Shake the plastic bag.
Gregorian chant.
Fade into overtones.
Eat more whipped cream.
Rule the world.
Come back.
Yes. Yes.
Cough. Cough.
Puppet on a chain.
Hand me a napkin.
Stand by me.
The smell of coffee.
Can I get the deluxe?
Can I be a star?
Open the gates.
Flood the oranges.
Cry with the raw meat.
No one knows my name.

Contributor

Ama Birch

Ama Birch has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the California Institute of the Arts. Belladonna* is publishing these poems and others in a chapbook called (Spirit) in 2022 as part of their Lesbian All-Stars series.

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The Brooklyn Rail

OCT 2019

All Issues