Distinguished Kansas Poet, Kiesa Kay
Kiesa Kay is another amazing woman I’ve met through this blog. I’ll be sharing her stories next week. In the meantime, let me introduce her. Kiesa is a gifted writer and was recently named a Distinguished Kansas Poet. I’ll confess that although I read some light poetry during my teens and twenties, it’s been many years since I’ve really made an effort to read poetry. However, Kiesa’s poems on the Kansas poets website grabbed me and made me want to read more. So she generously agreed to share a couple here….
At the Bus Stop
My ex bends his head low,
black hair falling across his eyes,
hair I used to touch, to kiss,
and I know even now
his breath smells of cinnamon;
his hair, summer magnolia,
his mouth, peach soft, so soft.
His shoulders droop.
He said once if he got rid of me,
he’d regain everything else –
the accolades, the power, the work.
So far he’s gained nothing but pounds.
“How have you been?” I murmur,
startling him as I appear at his side.
“I’ve been better,” he says.
I put my hand on the small of his back,
leaning my head against his chest,
scratching my cheek on stiff cotton.
For the moment before his bus arrives
his arms wrap around me.
Together we hold what’s left of us.
Indigo Bunting
Too late I realized I was too much
Too loud too noisy too vibrant
Bright colors blinding his eyes
He’d leap from bed saying
Don’t you know I have physical limits
How I miss him
He wanted me fresh-faced sweet
the granola girlfriend winsome wife
timid obedient the way I used to be
as self-effacing as a breeze
I flew a thousand miles to my best friend’s house
And while we sinned by the swimming pool
I realized no matter how I try I never will be
A plain brown wren of a woman
Always my plumage
Will flash brilliant blue
I want my French perfume
I want my cascading orgasms
And damn, I want my makeup back
Yesterday I received thirty-two emails
None from him
Ten phone calls
None from him
three letters
None from him
The broken wing’s healed now
The cage door’s slipped its hinges
I’m free
Kiesa has a written a collection of poems about divorce – Windstorm: Poems of Divorce. It’s published by Passion Among the Cacti Press and can be ordered from them or from Kiesa directly at kiesa@oleandercottage.com. Put WINDSTORM in the subject line if you’re ordering from Kiesa.
Dropping by from Facebook group on the Problogger 31 days and am delighted to see these lovely poems.
I relate to the theme of your blog – after my divorce, I found myself moving into arenas I would not have done previously. It’s a great idea to highlight how change can stimulate creativity and new energy, since it can be such a traumatic event.
Thanks for stopping by Pamela! When I started this blog I assumed that if the woman initiated the divorce then she would feel positively about the change that followed. What I didn’t realize is that this can apply just as much to women who didn’t initiate the separation. If you have a story to share about one of your new arenas and would be willing to be interviewed please let me know at mandy@sincemydivorce.com.
Good luck with the 31DBBB
Loved Kiesa’s poetry! I especially enjoyed Indigo Bunting with its expression of contradictory feelings. How I identify with that!
Hi Maggie – thanks for visiting! I’ll be sharing a couple of stories this week about Kiesa’s accomplishments since her divorce so I hope you’ll come back and visit again – Mandy
[...] and is also a Kansas distinguished poet. She recently shared two of her poems in a guest post here. Copies of Princess Gilanee are available by sending a $10 donation to Forest Children Program, [...]