katiekwok - Hello Poetry

If this world were to ever turn red Like ripe pomegranates or strawberry spread You’ll feel the pull as I tug on this thread. Let me scribble all over your balmy skin With details about my soaking sins Until you’re covered with my poison within. Let me greet you with my ruby lips I’m feeling feline, my teeth might nip But there’s no knowing where my tongue might slip. If this world were to ever turn red Like opera curtains or a feverish head We can put on a show in my backyard shed. Let me document you in this space You yearn for the power I make you chase Camouflaged in feather, leather, and lace. Let me guide your figure onto the floor Then obey and get onto your fours Fight with a devil and you’ll lose the war. If this world were to ever turn red --It’s really just a matter of when There’s not a color I’d prefer instead.

0

Apr 11, 2020

Apr 11, 2020 at 1:44 AM UTC

katiekwok

Red

If this world were to ever turn red Like ripe pomegranates or strawberry spread You’ll feel the pull as I tug on this thread. Let me scribble all over your balmy skin With details about my soaking sins Until you’re covered with my poison within. Let me greet you with my ruby lips I’m feeling feline, my teeth might nip But there’s no knowing where my tongue might slip. If this world were to ever turn red Like opera curtains or a feverish head We can put on a show in my backyard shed. Let me document you in this space You yearn for the power I make you chase Camouflaged in feather, leather, and lace. Let me guide your figure onto the floor Then obey and get onto your fours Fight with a devil and you’ll lose the war. If this world were to ever turn red --It’s really just a matter of when There’s not a color I’d prefer instead.

21

Swerving in, I re-enter A roundabout conversation Driving mindless words You make me flushed It gives me a rush As all of our cars Scramble out of our garages Directionless.

0

Jul 1, 2018

Jul 1, 2018 at 9:58 PM UTC

katiekwok

Small Talk

Swerving in, I re-enter A roundabout conversation Driving mindless words You make me flushed It gives me a rush As all of our cars Scramble out of our garages Directionless.

8

Salivating Slide in Sugar-searching serpent You spark In this **** A naive mind That this might Work out Before you Tire out Tonguing Lemon-lime lollies Licking your lips For a confection A bit more Cherry

0

Jun 24, 2018

Jun 24, 2018 at 11:12 PM UTC

katiekwok

Taste Test

Salivating Slide in Sugar-searching serpent You spark In this **** A naive mind That this might Work out Before you Tire out Tonguing Lemon-lime lollies Licking your lips For a confection A bit more Cherry

16

Walking in with high hopes I knew that I’d fall A cushioned landing waited below Skin shreds with every reach, pull, and hang Fingers bleed and sweaty palms Slide and scrape against the rocks The climb left me before I left the wall With numbness in my hands and my toes, But mostly my cheeks disfigured by nails Pinning up a spastic smile You had no belayer obligation No rope tied on My harness to your grip A concrete landing waited below.

0

Jun 24, 2018

Jun 24, 2018 at 12:50 AM UTC

katiekwok

Bouldering

Walking in with high hopes I knew that I’d fall A cushioned landing waited below Skin shreds with every reach, pull, and hang Fingers bleed and sweaty palms Slide and scrape against the rocks The climb left me before I left the wall With numbness in my hands and my toes, But mostly my cheeks disfigured by nails Pinning up a spastic smile You had no belayer obligation No rope tied on My harness to your grip A concrete landing waited below.

14

When I am at the peak of my span These petals open, blossoming, You step on my face and tell me I am who you see Through your cataractal lenses THAT is me, who I am supposed to be With my name stripped away, And that a flower’s life is destined For sitting still and smiling For prying fingers to uproot Its body from the earth Then to rot in a broken vase.

0

Jun 23, 2018

Jun 23, 2018 at 10:06 PM UTC

katiekwok

A Flower's Life

When I am at the peak of my span These petals open, blossoming, You step on my face and tell me I am who you see Through your cataractal lenses THAT is me, who I am supposed to be With my name stripped away, And that a flower’s life is destined For sitting still and smiling For prying fingers to uproot Its body from the earth Then to rot in a broken vase.

12

Skin-deep, I can tolerate you. Flesh-deep, You make me gag but I’ll try not to ***** Open up your heart and soul and everything else, All that leaks out is musty air. Like a plastic ornament, You dangle unsteadily On the bristles of a Christmas tree It is my tremor From our exchanges That will loosen your desperate cling From my limp arms.

0

Jun 23, 2018

Jun 23, 2018 at 1:07 PM UTC

katiekwok

Hollow

Skin-deep, I can tolerate you. Flesh-deep, You make me gag but I’ll try not to ***** Open up your heart and soul and everything else, All that leaks out is musty air. Like a plastic ornament, You dangle unsteadily On the bristles of a Christmas tree It is my tremor From our exchanges That will loosen your desperate cling From my limp arms.

14

Bells call Laughter rings Gates open wide No one in line Welcome To your entertainment Choose a ride Everything’s free Seated on a painted horse Mane chipped, buckle rusted No warning given The revolution begins Up and down Are you moving forward? Ponies gallop ahead You’re stuck at the end Wait-- There’s no waiting You tail There’s no slowing Until the day you’re free Continue the monotony Wake, work, eat, sleep Follow the tune In circles and circles and circles Is this fun? Is this fun? The same repetition Over and over and over and-- STOP The agony, the pain The screams unheard There’s no stopping You can cry and beg To debark and leave It’s too bad Exiting isn’t easy.

0

Jun 23, 2018

Jun 23, 2018 at 2:08 AM UTC

katiekwok

Merry-Go-Round

Bells call Laughter rings Gates open wide No one in line Welcome To your entertainment Choose a ride Everything’s free Seated on a painted horse Mane chipped, buckle rusted No warning given The revolution begins Up and down Are you moving forward? Ponies gallop ahead You’re stuck at the end Wait-- There’s no waiting You tail There’s no slowing Until the day you’re free Continue the monotony Wake, work, eat, sleep Follow the tune In circles and circles and circles Is this fun? Is this fun? The same repetition Over and over and over and-- STOP The agony, the pain The screams unheard There’s no stopping You can cry and beg To debark and leave It’s too bad Exiting isn’t easy.

36

You don't want to be in my photos. That’s fine, a thumbtack will stay in your place You don't want to be in my videos. That’s fine, I can trim, cut, edit Until your shadow is completely erased You don't want to be in my life. Click Drag Delete That’s fine with me.

0

Jun 22, 2018

Jun 22, 2018 at 11:40 PM UTC

katiekwok

Delete

You don't want to be in my photos. That’s fine, a thumbtack will stay in your place You don't want to be in my videos. That’s fine, I can trim, cut, edit Until your shadow is completely erased You don't want to be in my life. Click Drag Delete That’s fine with me.

10

You forget my name I’ll say it, spell it out, write it down Repeat that same two-syllable word You’re quick to forget Flowers are pretty little things And all their names must blur together For you, who cannot speak their language

0

Jun 22, 2018

Jun 22, 2018 at 5:27 PM UTC

katiekwok

Forget-Me-Not

You forget my name I’ll say it, spell it out, write it down Repeat that same two-syllable word You’re quick to forget Flowers are pretty little things And all their names must blur together For you, who cannot speak their language

7

Cello cords snap, slice, fresh Wounds bloom next to old scabs Rosy slits puncture through cotton gloves With thread and time, they say We’ll mend. Intertwining blows face a silent war Unwinded by a cannon salute. Across the battlefield Conductors pick up their batons Holding ready Waiting For you to throw The opening note Waiting For me to throw The first Molotov Shatters. The trumpet hook screeches A familiar overture blares Confetti glass garnishes our drinks Gasoline reek, whiskey aftertaste A night of dancing dares. We fall back Into a bed of thorns Composed by sleepless fights We have not learned to knit or sew Our petals dangle from the receptacle Swaying to the chorus.

0

Jun 22, 2018

Jun 22, 2018 at 10:49 AM UTC

katiekwok

Mutually Assured Destruction

Cello cords snap, slice, fresh Wounds bloom next to old scabs Rosy slits puncture through cotton gloves With thread and time, they say We’ll mend. Intertwining blows face a silent war Unwinded by a cannon salute. Across the battlefield Conductors pick up their batons Holding ready Waiting For you to throw The opening note Waiting For me to throw The first Molotov Shatters. The trumpet hook screeches A familiar overture blares Confetti glass garnishes our drinks Gasoline reek, whiskey aftertaste A night of dancing dares. We fall back Into a bed of thorns Composed by sleepless fights We have not learned to knit or sew Our petals dangle from the receptacle Swaying to the chorus.

28