all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein

all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein
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Saturday, February 04, 2006

no one could possibly


















sometimes, i am such a terrible excuse for a wall,
scavenging the grounds of an argument,
finding myself on the verge of climactic ruin,
some broiling trouble underneath
and rising up like some spiny thing,
drawing back my quiver of arrows,
ready for the battle that would fissure us
into jagged, babbling continents.

then, tilting on hind legs, i realize
i have neither language nor grace
to keep myself upright.

and i give you a look that says stay away,
a look that says i'm out of here, done,
a look that tells you i'm crawling back
into my tiny, naked shell, where no one but me
could possibly find comfort.

buoyant, intractable as an otter,
you swim to the very lip
of this volcano, turn belly up,
toward the fullest measure of heat, and say,
no.
i'm coming with you.

4 comments:

christina said...

oh this is wonderful. i just discoverd your poems via andrea and this poem was so good!! SO good!

GailNHB said...

You are a phenomenally talented writer. I read your 25 reasons to write, the lies you tell yourself, and the story of your feet growing to size 11. Let me say this about the feet: mine grew to a size eleven when I was 23. It ook me years to find shoes that fit my feet and my life. I suggest that you check out Aerosoles! Those lengthy levers are the vehicles that transport you into the world, that take you to the places that inspire your creativity, fuel your yearning, and birth your beautiful prose poems. Your writing is luminous, lovely, and alluring. Thank you for not disappearing, for not giving in and giving up. Grace and peace to you, Gail

Dee Temple said...

beyootiful*

I wrote sm.thing abt. a similar kinda interaction on my blog.
I welcome u to come see it~ it's on the current page called Be~Loved.
[www.brightestblazings.blogspot.com]

Adriane Giberson said...

Oh... such fortuitous luck to have an otter in your life. :) I can only wish... Your words have moved me... thank you. :)

Adriane
http://www.onesundayafternoon.blogspot.com
http://www.onesundayafternoon.com