Swallowing Memories

I used to clap my hands
for Jesus--filling my soul
with praise and love--
for someone I was sure existed.
I took it in--body and blood--
soaked up sermon words
like gravied poetry.

At school, I read deeply
into novels--filling my mind
with history and metaphor--
into lives separated from my own.
I took it in--scene by scene--
stored their experiences
like leftover memories.

I used to witness friends
forget their innocence--filling my body
with nausea and tension--
as they forgot life beyond sex.
I took it in--smiles, then tears--
swallowed every detail
like dry little pills.

I missioned in a third world
in God's name--filling my self
with confusion and unease--
for something that would never matter.
I took it in--discontent and rot--
tasted the poverty
like yesterday's dinner.

Now here I sit
with pen in hand--filling this page
with scribbles and ink--
picking at dried flakes on my scalp.
I have taken much in--positive and negative--
inhaling disappointments
like cigarette smoke.

Reviews

[Adam Whitworth]

you can do better than this katy, keep trying

[Antonio Valentino]

so very pleased with your unique voice, it is comforting and embraceful... loved the whole piece but especially

soaked up sermon words
like gravied poetry.

gravied, poetry?

how so very mind yummy...

I used to witness friends
forget their innocence--filling my body
with nausea and tension--
as they forgot life beyond sex.
I took it in--smiles, then tears--
swallowed every detail
like dry little pills.

veryyyy nice as well...

i better stop there lest i copy the whole writ... :)

you did well... very much so
Antonio xx