We are Saguaro
~ Last of the Yaquis
I was born to be alone
Madre told me so
We are Saguaro, mija
We are tough—don’t need nobody
[She wants to keep me to herself]
Madre is right
I drink in my hairy arms
Who could love me like this?
Prickly right through to my pulp
It appears I wish to be left alone
Everyone keeps their distance
Just because I can survive in the Sonoran Desert
Doesn’t mean I enjoy the drought
I have a secret
I am harbouring a lover
A rosy-cheeked Gila Woodpecker finds his way under my skin
Perhaps love can nest within me yet
.
.
.
(Note: This is an Inverse poem. The nuance subtly shifts depending on whether it is read from top to bottom or bottom to top)
About the Creator
Paris Rosemont
Asian-Australian performance poet. My debut poetry collection 'Banana Girl' (published by WestWords) is out now!
You may find me at www.parisrosemont.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/parisrosemont
Instagram: @msparisrose
Keep reading
More stories from Paris Rosemont and writers in Poets and other communities.
- Runner-Up in Abecedarian Challenge
The Road to Nowhere
Trigger warnings: Violence, Death. "May the Sun burn your tongue out, woman," Fredrick's father screamed the curse into his mother's ear as their elegant little carriage rumbled along, its polished wood and gilded trim glinting in the torchlight. They had just left the small village of Saffron and were on an unnamed road to the capital for the Royal wedding. Fredrick leaned back in his plush velvet seat to escape into the passing landscape, but across from him sat the servant boy, a scrappy lad named Jack. Jack's eyes held a mixture of awe and fear, the kind that only a commoner could feel in the presence of nobility. Jack looked up and caught Fredrick's gaze, offering him a sad little smile before reaching into his pocket and retrieving a little caramel treat. This candy was no doubt stolen from the kitchen treat cupboard; if he was caught with it, he would be locked in the box as punishment.
By Frank English4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (5)
Oh, ouch - such mind-altering varying emotions that come from the order one reads this. The romantic in me sure loves the top-to-bottom experience, but the sadness and creeping resignation is too powerful to ignore in the bottom-to-top ride. Your descriptions are really meaty and filling too (I'm a vegetarian so I don't know why I used this wording, by the way). I love "prickly right through to my pulp." SO good!!
Oh I liked it down so much. Up, too, but then I read it down again to finish where I wanted it to finish.
Very vivid and so lyrical! A captivating voice from beginning to end!
This was very profound. Loved your poem!
. Very creative!!