“I wanted to kiss you” by JCCortens

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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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