Tag: life
member name: Maura Alia Badji
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June 21, 2006 10:03 PM EDT --
The first two articles missed the point entirely. This article is imbued with a subtle richness due to the olive oil used by the author in her evening salad.
I have some news for you: I am . . .
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July 11, 2006 12:54 AM EDT --
HEROINES
(for Marilyn Mashburn Lewis and Joan Stuart Ross )
Tall women stride, fast
with bright African
hats, complicated
earrings. Quick women:
moving wits, purple
scarves, wide . . .
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June 30, 2006 11:27 PM EDT --
Advice For The Newly Beautiful
You won't notice the change at first,
the way people look at you, not
through you. As though studying
the cover of a promising book.
You will walk . . .
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July 04, 2006 06:46 AM EDT --
Addiction & Subtraction
for Mateo and Jannala
Trap
wrapped layers
prepared
packaged
Soft escape
No landings
continuing . . .
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June 26, 2006 02:14 AM EDT --
Breakfast
My grandfather's hands, staniatata's hands-- tin-smith's hands,are three times the size of mine. His hands circle the brown and tan mug of sweet black coffee he drinks all day. In . . .
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June 29, 2006 11:32 PM EDT --
Party at the rectory, 1980
End of summer and hadn't we proved
affirmative action worked
as we awkwardly circled the punch bowl,
the line of wine bottles, the greasy snacks?:
2 Brits, 4 . . .
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June 29, 2006 11:43 PM EDT --
Listening For Fish in Poughkeepsie
They hang onto my arms and legs. As we pass the river, five children pull me to water we can't touch or swim, to wave as The Clearwater Sloop . . .
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July 09, 2006 12:43 AM EDT --
Survivor's song
Better to cry
than to tighten your jaw
til your teeth crack
in your sleep.
Better to talk, to tell.
Unshed tears
may sharpen to razor points
as lethal as avenging daggers . . .
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June 26, 2006 10:58 PM EDT --
Lent
Jesus broke my heart
the Easter I was three, left me
unfit for another for years after.
Each night mother lifted me to his
porcelain form--Infant of Prague, miracle
maker, baby boy I . . .
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July 02, 2006 10:47 AM EDT --
Witch Works (for Anne Sexton)
The witch weaves
at her word loom,
a luminous grid
woven from waters,
from darkness.
She keeps the shuttle moving,
releases her truth
into partial-light,
. . .
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July 11, 2006 12:14 AM EDT --
Muse, 1924
When, in the night, I wait for her, impatient,
Life seems to me, as hanging by a thread.
What just means liberty, or youth, or approbation,
When compared with the gentle piper's . . .
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June 21, 2006 01:45 AM EDT --
Buona Seda, Bedda
During the last summer of her life
I watch my grandmother undress
by the light of a holy candle,
disrobe before Jesus, His merciful eyes,
His Sacred Heart unchanged, . . .
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July 04, 2006 12:45 PM EDT --
Douglas
In your James Dean jacket
so self-contained,
you'd ignite, in white heat
if I rubbed against you.
We're a match. I'm watching a movie,
watching you, again,
watching you . . .
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July 05, 2006 05:50 AM EDT --
Late Valentine
I have been waiting for you to break me
open, a blossom unbound from tight bud.
I have been waiting, not placidly, not
lazily; I have watered and tilled in your absence . . .
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July 15, 2006 07:22 AM EDT --
Woman in The Moon
Full Moon
My womb a room
Preparing itself
Unknown, Full
Moon glowing soon
My hope a rune
Unreadable, full
Moon growing room
A gourd hollowed
To hold a tune, full
Moon . . .
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July 02, 2006 10:13 AM EDT --
Paper boat
loaned by moon
that lazy shark pilot Catastrophe averted--
Johnny Nervebundle Johnny DangerMoney Johnny
Swinghat
Johnny-I-wore-a-dress-for-you-and-this-is-what-I-get? . . .
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July 10, 2006 10:59 AM EDT --
"For me, everything in poetry should be out of place."
--Anna Akhmatova
"With a changing key
You unlock the house where
The snow of what's silenced drifts." . . .
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June 19, 2006 12:59 AM EDT --
Charmed Life
I'm not stupid. I went to Wendy Ward Charm
. . .
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June 22, 2006 12:31 AM EDT --
My rapist
took me home to meet the family off a side street . April. Cold Poughkeepsie. Ululating women swarmed me, sisters soft bees rushed from their hive wrapped in layers, bright fabric, ancient . . .
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July 04, 2006 11:53 AM EDT --
Alia
My middle name
is a town in Sicily
I found on a National
Geographic map, not far
from Piazzo Cangilosi. So close
to my grandfather's name--Congilosi,
meaning with jealousy. Paired . . .
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