stephanie athena valente
what is the difference between knowing & not knowing?
i try to love, i love something like me,
so tightly, wound deep inside
i prefer older men who wrap me up
in their leather jackets, unzip the sleeves to the wrists
i palm their lips like simple cigarettes
they placed my voice in a clasped shell
rub my silk sleeved dress
call me aphrodite after hours
velvet & gin & my tiny laughter
masquerading in cups
i hide war crowns and eagles by the door
shed the iron cuffs, but let them trace the skin
it would be rude to wear shoes inside this house.
***
Stephanie Athena Valente lives in Brooklyn, NY. Her published works include Hotel Ghost, waiting for the end of the world, and Little Fang (Bottlecap Press, 2015-2019). She has work included in Reality Hands, Maudlin House, and Cosmonauts Avenue. She is the associate editor at Yes, Poetry. Sometimes, she feels human. stephanievalente.com