poetry

Cusp - a new poem

Connecting Women 2012 photo Renée Veldman-Tentori

 

 

 

At the start of 2012 I set myself the challenge of not only writing more poetry but performing it too. This, I have achieved, though learning them by heart is by far the hardest part – much worse than writing them or performing.

Last night, I performed three poems for the Connecting Women Festive Bazaar’s talent show and this, Cusp, was one of them…


 

 

 

Cusp

Now that I’ve found poetry

life sags without its hint of cusp

that grips the heart

and stabs it with a blade

of sharpened grass

or softened glass

and makes me smack my lips for more.

 

I hold out my hungry bowl

for seconds, even thirds,

for I am never satisfied

with less

than magic.

No village hill –

I crave mountains.

No minnowed stream –

I scream for oceans

that spread their watery skirts beyond the edge, towards infinity.

 

Now that I’ve found poetry

nothing else will do.

Light me a candle –

I need fireworks;

friendships that flash and sparkle,

to leave embers that sustain me

once the door is closed.

 

Now that I’ve found poetry

let its tears ride tramways in my veins,

lead to my flexing fingers

that they may twitch and seek the pen

and permanence on the page.

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  • Renee Veldman-Tentori

    It was a pleasure to see you perform it – and I genuinely enjoyed it! To be perfectly honest, I don’t always “get” poetry, but really like this one, the beautiful play on words and I can really identify with the emotions – I feel a bit the same way about blogging!

  • http://twitter.com/in_expatland Adventures

    What a vivid, vibrant, ‘chewy’ poem, one you can sink your teeth into. Just sorry I wasn’t able to see you perform it live.

  • Jo Cstr1

    Fabulous Jo! The words sing and dance and stretch our thoughts to imagine each of the mini pictures you so skilfully create with each line. Would have loved to see you perform it too :)
    By the way, Thank You for your lovely comment on my interview at Mojito Mother :)