Main Street & 3rd

An abstract, metaphorical poem about my depression and how it affects my relationships.

I had coffee on the corner

Of my dry, sarcastic mouth

Like the dark, bitter residue of restless slumber

And half-hearted remarks muttered between the passing of tongues

Dried up from overuse and lack of conversation.

The dead skin on my lips, slathered with a sickly-sweet glaze

Was peeling like the shell of a bruised, rotten banana

That my words slip up on comically.

And the stain on my palate tasted not of hazelnut or mocha

But of scalding hot water and electrical outlets,

Corroded batteries soaked in lemonade.

Reviews

[Adam Adams]

If you won't mentioned 'bove that it's 'bout broken relationship, am sure, i'd have considered this one of the sexiest write that got ya damn numbed in motel after having or "sharing" some pleasurably moist & warmed coffee nearby across .. somewhere around "Main Street, 3rd Floor, Phoenix zone, the cafe" .. ah, damn such things! You just got it nailed up!

Am sorta sorry to hear 'bout your "broken" relationships but I guess, relations are meant to be broken, no matter what.

Today, you are in love, morrow, you are in pain,
The next more, you tryna heal up but damn go way insane
The mania of "Depression" got ya goddamn nailed
Oh the love you damn loved, once, a long ago, is beautifully shattered, Oh silky-smooth glaze!

That's what I kinda resonate outta your beautiful and thoughtful write. I guess, you write way sexy when you quite depressed or kinda lost in the army of insomnia. Sounds prolific! Keep it up!

[Briana Noël Manzano]

Thank you so much for the glowing review! But I'm curious: why did this poem impart sexual connotations to you?

[Adam Adams]

Cos. . .
... ev'n the depression goddamn belongs to "love-aches" which further and farther comes outta blues --- the sexual intercourse night. Remind your poetry "I Take My Tea With Hemlock" .. it's 'bout betrayal .. which's, of course, an analogies outta "love or lust" .. if there's no love, there's no betrayal and if there's no love, there's no love-depression. Your depression's not seemed like just normal depression but the one that belongs to love-nights .. which got me hooked up writing ya those s***s (Words). So just thew whatever my got me to ... if it's not 'bout sex, then am sure ... it's 'bout insomniac. No? Lol

[Briana Noël Manzano]

Insomnia actually played a big part.. I did not sleep much at night...too consumed with thoughts and wishing that I didn't have to sleep alone. The depression affected all of my relationships, friendships too, but you would also be correct in surmizing that "love-aches" or a romantic relationship was also affecting me. What baffles me is that you are able to read that far into it.

[Sreenath]

clean blend of emotions... it is intact and bound so tight ... i read it twice... i can feel the remorse all through out the poem ...a power pack writing ..enjoyed reading it..keep smiling :)

[Monday Parker]

Damn!!! So many reasons why I like this.... I read the poem before the headline...and without the headline I went so many places with this...Great job. Channel that darkness girlfriend. :)

[Briana Noël Manzano]

Thank you! I love when people interpret my poems in different ways; it's interesting how everyone perceives different things from the same work

[Jimmy McRoberts]

Well worded and reminds me to have a cup soon. Coffee and tea are my big vises. Both help me in terms of writing but also waking up and getting through things. I think this also touches on the fact that we as society depend on it.

[Briana Noël Manzano]

At the time that I wrote this piece I was drinking a lot of coffee- I felt like my relationships were empty and falling apart and I was tired and worn out. I drank coffee hot and sugary- so that it burned my tongue and left a sugary film on my lips. It was my solace, my source of energy when I was so emotionally drained. Thank you foe your review and your insight! C: