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Maddie Ainsworth Poem
(first second third fourth fifth)
Ragged nails gripped the barre,
stiff positions shifting-
canvas toes with a cactus-sharp pointe.
(spot. turn.)
Circles whipping like leather.
(plié. leap and-)
Composed mask cracking like a ceramic doll-
rosy cheeks, glassy eyes awakened
as gravity pulled hair
to meet hardwood,
head vibrating like sound waves.
Green tinted hollow gaze
traced a weakened heap of bone.
From the ash,
the emaciated phoenix rose,
fires in its eyes as though
shackles kept their release.
Pink satin marbled red,
rigid box blistering;
breaking split flesh
as weak ankles straightened and,
like the spring, began.
(first second third fourth fifth)
Copyright © Maddie Ainsworth | Year Posted 2017
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Details |
Maddie Ainsworth Poem
12:44 a.m.
Hollowed-out eyes
Rimmed with kohl
Set deep in sunken faces.
Tracks down faces and up arms
Visible under flickering halogen bulbs.
Dark cars creep by,
Distorted light reflections
glinting off black metal
Stopping by each person
Until the unsuspecting are
forced into vehicles.
1:18 a.m.
Money and drugs are exchanged
Before driving to a cash-only motel
Where favors from bodies become the currency.
The analog in the car changed to 2:23 a.m.
$200 for an hour
Tucked in the back pocket of worn Levi’s
An average pull at 16.
A lit cigarette
placed between smears of #213 Red Rose
Guided her back to a cold cement patch
With the word “Home” etched in faded chalk.
States away, a “Missing” flyer
bearing her face
rustled in the wind.
“Please help” screamed the flyer
in Ellis Bold font.
Copyright © Maddie Ainsworth | Year Posted 2017
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