“I wanted to kiss you” by JCCortens
Poetry Pause is the League of Canadian Poets' daily poetry dispatch. Read by "I wanted to kiss you" by JCCortens
I wanted to kiss you
By JCCortens
the night before gathered in the apartment table crowded with candles books and glasses
gargoyles a shelf of planks and cinderblocks hauled up all those stairs. Wet coats piled on the green
couch we found by the dumpster soon to return. Men brothers lovers lean against the wall or
each other while you move from one group to the next stop a moment turns with a dance eyes
wide.
Today on the beach guitars drums laughing sarongs tied like laundry merchants sell
trinkets glitter blue and red in afternoon sun under a carnival umbrella we lie on a blanket parallel
another group of men only slightly rearranged. We tease and swap silent gossip. I offer food knowing it’s
not your kind too much refined this or that.
Walk slowly now sand sparkles at our feet washed clean we step into ocean water slaps
buttocks backs to the sun face punch of brilliant green against such blue. Again I did not
reach out to place my hands on your shoulders pull you toward myself with a gentle spin. Did not feel
the press of your clean skin on mine as we turned to face the setting sun.
But I remember the night rain blew so hard it turned my umbrella inside out: You against the wall
beside the old table and broken chair. Me across turned right angle to face them and you. I got the
feeling just now I said that I want to kiss you. I don’t know what to say you said. So I didn’t.
Copyright © JCCortens
JC’s poems have appeared in The Maynard, The Holy Male, Art & Poetry Anthology, an almost hand beckoning (a collaboration with poet John Swanson). With composer Carolyn A. Quick, he presented an original art song Donum Aquae: Gift of Water (from the Book of Prayers) in Art Song Lab’s festival in June 2018. His poem There is in me received an Honourable Mention in the Delta Literary Arts Society Spring 2024 Poetry Contest. For more on JC's work, visit his website.
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