Juliet P. Howard | 2009 Poetry Finalist

Lover

If I fall asleep in the curve of your arm

I imagine night will pass unnoticed

while sunlight slips between blinds

kisses us gently

lets us lie lazy

in the daylight

bodies intertwined

from the night before

If I wake to the arch of your back

I imagine light touching your shoulder

you pull sheets over us

eyes still closed lips moist

your tongue gentle

pushes into me

pushes me into morning

there is light here

If I turn towards you

I imagine you smiling

half-sleep we lie

warm content

bodies bound together

morning stretches arms

nudges us into consciousness

aglow silent we wake

If morning creeps upon us

I imagine we embrace her

open arms soft skin fingers

slender silent searching

familiar curves again

we wake

find light

recall the night

Picture Perfect

childhood pictures frame memories

sad skinny light skinned girl

straight stringy hair

look away look away little girl

photos fill walls tables rooms

good hair pink bows ruffled dresses

mama’s show and tell

look away look away little girl

mama staged each shot

smiles poses all forced

“c’mon baby smile big for mama”

look away look away little girl

little girl sits head down

on an ugly faded couch

knobby knees stuck to plastic

look away look away little girl

big black and white studio shot

still her favorite

the tears falling down her face

look away look away little girl

no smile to mask her sadness

only candid shot

in the house

look away look away little girl