Instead

Here
I am here.
...a small weathered grey stone in the middle of an ecru cube
I am, as if woven with willowy white by spider to this chair
shedding my last skins
molting, melting, swelling, crusting over 
a dampened facade of makeup… 
and hidden band aids

and instead of drinking

Coffee
in the cafés of Berlin...where a handsome stranger leans over 
and kisses my hand
stares long into my un-wedded blue eyes
I flush and blush 
17 again 

an irresistible bowl of fruited ambrosia

but here, at my faux wooden desk…
with my green porcelain pear vase …sprouting fragile pale cream roots
facing a blank wall
 my roots …are grey and silver
I am more a dried apple 
in a pantry drawer…listening for foot falls 
than a place where red flags dance
nostrils fill with rich beaned aromas

I am here ...instead of drinking coffee in the cafés of Berlin
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Cheema Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 8:32 AM
Congrats on your placement, Ingrid!
Showalter Swift Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Thank you!
Kimathi Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 7:12 AM
Hi Ingrid. Congrats for your placement in the contest!!! ;-)
Showalter Swift Avatar
February 5, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Oh thank you Teddy!
Gentry Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Really like this. Congratulations on your win!
Showalter Swift Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 1:54 PM
Thank You Susan!
Ward Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 11:06 AM
That's SO good! Thank you! Congratulations on your fifth place win in my contest.
Ward Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 3:26 PM
You're welcome... Yes, it was a challenge, wasn't it? And remember there were fifty entrants, so you can be proud. Julia, x
Showalter Swift Avatar
February 4, 2016 at 1:54 PM
Oh Julia!!!! Thank you so much I am thrilled :) I worked hard on that one
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