Licked Lip Lullabies

Sophia Bon, “Portrait in Distress”

by Shannon Giambanco

What if his breast was like that of a woman?

plump and perky- tender to touch,

tones of his voice a bitch or three higher,

his hands dainty with nails dancing in dandelion yellow,

playground prances until potato looking boys would pull his pigtails,

he refused to wear dresses above the knee- catcalling shook his nerves.

If his breast was like that of a woman-

his definition would pass over pleasure settling on burdened flesh,

his words would find less tasteless ventures,

hands would be placed in pockets in probity,

rapture only acceptable when both budding with desire,

lips would only be licked before they’d sing lullabies to their sleeping daughters.

2.

Honey Pools

A momentary pause

of motion. A minute minus

the moving world.

The earth stopped spinning-

the sun’s rays only glistened

on his soft brown skin.

A lapse in thought and doubt.

Minds intertwined in a lovely affair-

unbothered by bitter bodies. 

Chocolate brown eyes melted

against the fervent rays of the sun

into pools of sweltering honey. 

3.

Seashell Carcass 

Once vibrant

Now faded,

Always touched 

Never kept,

Put me back down.

4. 

Graceful Death

Lilac field drowning-

in smoke sweeter than vanilla

dancing their way to death. 

5. 

Morning Tea

The blushing pink teapot squealed with excitement,

steaming, bubbling waves of water swarmed my candy red mug,

the tea bag diffuses with bubbles bursting green-

I took the honey off its shelf and squeezed it onto a spoon,

I mixed the warmth and sweet bliss,

I met the mug to my lips and sat on the porch,

the rising sun kissed my cheeks,

being one with the morning was who I was meant to be.