Emily is one of the winners of Folio’s September poetry contest. Congratulations to Emily, and thanks to all who submitted their work! View the other winning submission here.
You with your melancholy eyes,
the way that they look into mine,
the way you hold yourself,
delicately pacing into oblivion.
Your words are deep-seated
and your mouth is dry
but you speak anyway,
clearing your throat every so often.
You’re embarrassed of your voice cracks
as if they negate your manhood.
You address them as such and I smile,
because with each crack
I sink myself deeper into you.
You know I see your mind
with all its grooves and pits,
and you think I will manoeuvre my way
through them however I please.
But the sad truth you don’t know
is that I wouldn’t dare to meddle;
I want you as you are.
I want the mess and the mixture
of manipulation and magnificence.
And if I could steal one from the genie,
I’d ask he make you feel my love,
trust that my intentions are noble,
know my feelings are pure
and that you will never
find anything so great
as long as you live.
Rationale:
My poetry is inspired by personal experiences, inner dialogue, and muddled emotions in my mind. Poetry is a way to untangle my thoughts and create order with my emotions. This poem in particular touches on the theme of loving everything about someone and trying to get them to see the way I see them; perhaps because there is an innate longing to be accepted in this way myself.
Featured image by Evelyn Thompson
