Yellow Mama E zine

    asleep in pomegranate

and pastel

 

by Craig Kirchner

 

Each day the Pope awakens,

knows he is the Pope.

Kings, Knights, Presidents,

Lords of who they are.

I awake your maven,

see you and then myself.

 

Perhaps this flavor will melt

in the warm summer drizzle,

popsicles are like that

and one-night stands,

but this is not a love poem

and any fool can get out of the rain.

 

You lie there dreaming orgasm.

The midnight moon is misting beads

of sweet sweat on

rainbow-veined breasts,

toy taupe nipples relevé

my oxford blue button down.

 

Dimpled, dancer knees

pliéd in white leotard,

natural curves barely break

tight, white cotton breath of tease.

cheeks naked in your

ballerina pink skirt,

 

birthmark my mind’s eye,

a visual I’ll cherish,

like the Dentyne

you stuck to the chaise lounge

that tiny mauve tattoo

on the inside of your thigh.

 

 

         Craig Kirchner lives in Jacksonville, Florida, loves the aesthetics of writing, has a book of poetry, Roomful of Navels, and has been nominated three times for a Pushcart. Craig's writing has been published in Chiron Review, Main Street Rag, Yellow Mama, The Modern Artist, and dozens and dozens of others. He houses 500 books in his office and about 400 poems on a laptop; these words help keep him straight. Craig can be found on Bluesky.

​

        Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.