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.