Every gesture he makes is full of music,
he’s so handsome and rich.
He says let’s go to a party--
but won’t take you home when you want--
or—let’s take a walk down by the shore
and he holds your hand too tightly
except you’re embarrassed and don’t want him
to get the wrong impression so you go along,
the entire coastline stuck in your throat
you don’t trust him completely
afraid he might knock you down
and he does—suddenly you hear
your ankle rip—the ligaments torn
by his weight crashing down full force
and you don’t grimace or cry out
telling yourself this time will soon be over
and time does jump forward
he lets you out of his car
where you limp to your door but your ankle
will never be the same.
Author Bio:
Dale Champlin is an Oregon poet. Her MFA in painting and photography developed her critical eye. Her first chapbook of poetry, Twisted Furniture, was published last year. When she’s not writing poetry, Dale designs books, publicity campaigns and logos. As adjunct to the board of the Oregon Poetry Association, she is the editor of the 2017 Verseweavers collection of poetry. Dale is the current co-director of Conversations With Writers, a monthly presentation by accomplished writers. Dale has published in Social Justice Poetry, VoiceCatcher, North Coast Squid and has poems soon to be published in Moments Before Midnight and Willawaw Journal.
he’s so handsome and rich.
He says let’s go to a party--
but won’t take you home when you want--
or—let’s take a walk down by the shore
and he holds your hand too tightly
except you’re embarrassed and don’t want him
to get the wrong impression so you go along,
the entire coastline stuck in your throat
you don’t trust him completely
afraid he might knock you down
and he does—suddenly you hear
your ankle rip—the ligaments torn
by his weight crashing down full force
and you don’t grimace or cry out
telling yourself this time will soon be over
and time does jump forward
he lets you out of his car
where you limp to your door but your ankle
will never be the same.
Author Bio:
Dale Champlin is an Oregon poet. Her MFA in painting and photography developed her critical eye. Her first chapbook of poetry, Twisted Furniture, was published last year. When she’s not writing poetry, Dale designs books, publicity campaigns and logos. As adjunct to the board of the Oregon Poetry Association, she is the editor of the 2017 Verseweavers collection of poetry. Dale is the current co-director of Conversations With Writers, a monthly presentation by accomplished writers. Dale has published in Social Justice Poetry, VoiceCatcher, North Coast Squid and has poems soon to be published in Moments Before Midnight and Willawaw Journal.
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