All my life you have been a constant companion, always there when I really needed you—you seemed fickle, as though you came and went from my life at whim.

At the same time, you were a constant; you always came back like the ocean going out, out then always in.
Always there was the page–the great, blank white page.

Had the pens–the typewriter, the old-fashioned carbons—years later we have laptop computers—tap tap of the keys a gentle and reassuring sound….

Kissing Poem

When I was young
I was surprised
When a young woman I knew
Suddenly kissed me.

It was my first kiss,
Shocking and marvelous
As the tender flower
That blossomed
Between my legs.

***

Kissing Poem 2

When I was young, I kissed
my own shoulders.

Not knowing if this was normal,
I kept it secret.

Everything sexual
was  hidden back then,

 no one spoke of it.
I wondered

whether kissing my shoulders
was strange,

 but since I was beautiful ,
I would kiss myself again.

 

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Editor: Bryonie Wise

Photo: elephant journal