cati PORTER

VI. Immutably Immobile 

 Sorrowful Nude

It is as though he 

           

                        has turned my lids to stone

                        turned my eyes to stone

                        turned to stone my every curve            

                        painted my eyes closed.

 

                         He has not given me my hands,

                        my mouth – hard, bitter fruit

                       

 

Not only this morning was I hoping for a bit of light

Not only this morning was I dreaming of washing my hair

 

 

                        I want to shut my speechless mouth            

                        slide my tongue over my teeth

                        scrape my teeth across my tongue

                        bite through                       

 

 

I want to open  

want to open my eyes

                        stare down the sun;

                                    choose blindness for myself