The Ofi Press Magazine

International Poetry and Literature from Mexico City

Susan Castillo: 1 Poem Published

Poem by Susan Castillo (USA/UK)

Published in The Ofi Press issue 45

 

  

 

 

Until Then: A Conversation with My Body

 

I’ve served you pretty well so far.

We’ve climbed trees and dug in earth,

puckered lips and kissed sweet boys,

tasted ice cream, heard the wind roar, and

 

danced, danced, danced.

 

I’ve joined you closest to another

skin on skin, heart on heart, pulsing softly

breaths united in crimson velvet

spirals of sparks.  Oh how we

 

danced, danced, danced.

 

I’ve borne your children,

suckled, them.  Silver stretchmarks

stipple belly, thighs, and breasts.

Still, amid it all we

 

danced, danced, danced.

 

Now the dark is gently falling.

Soon we’ll be cloaked in silence

and soft earth.  But till the night comes calling,

calling,  you and I will

 

dance, dance, dance.

About the Poet

Susan Castillo Street is a Louisiana expatriate and academic who lives in the Sussex countryside. She is Harriet Beecher Stowe Professor Emeritus, King’s College, University of London, and has published two collections of poems, The Candlewoman's Trade (Diehard Press, 2003) and Abiding Chemistry,  (Aldrich Press, 2015).  Her poems have appeared in The Missing Slate, The Stare’s Nest, Ink Sweat & Tears, Nutshells and Nuggets, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Snakeskin, Literature Today, York Mix and other reviews. She is a member of three poetry groups: 52, Goat, and High Wealden Poets.

Image: 'Beam Me' by Martin Fisch.