At dusk she laughs, a sound like bridge
cables snapping, flings herself into screaming
air, unties its molecules, vanishes. The taxi
drivers refuse to discuss her. But on breaks
they order more food than they can eat,
knowing she may call. Their clothes hang
off them. They give circuitous directions.
Hair electric ringlets, her oil dark wings
slide together with a metal sound.
Taloned, her face riven by hunger,
she grips her cornice over the intersection –
a jumble of continuous minor accidents.
I remember starving. My bones sang
in a cold wind. I felt weak and furious, but light.
Eventually I would join her up there, learn
her story through chuckles, fierce whispers,
the hawk’s iris glinting behind a woman’s
lashes. Why she is still here, I can’t wonder
as my spine hollows and I rock gently
in the wind along the entablature,
waiting for the flight that finally comes,
she says, after the death of pity.
To read more of Lea Marshall's poetry, go to depoetry.com.
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The Delaware Poetry Review, or DePoetry.com, is an online compilation of amazing, contemporary poetry gathered by a group of erudite editors based in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This notable compilation of poetry has been available since 2007, publishing new editions about once a year.
Each edition features a variety of poets chosen by the editors. This blog features our published poets.
More new works from the Mid-Atlantic Region are available at DePoetry.com. For feedback, contact depoet@capegazette.com or go to facebook.com/delawarepoetryreview.
