KENYA STERLING – TWO POEMS

NAKED

 

The same four walls. The same sweat.

I’ve only just seen it now.

Without the vulnerability this time.

Last time you cradled me as I shook.

As the Valium left my system.

Refusing to open double doors.

We ran and there was sweat.

And we were topless.

Then unclothed,

Not quite

Not quite

Then unclothed,

And we were topless.

We ran and there was sweat.

Refusing to open double doors.

As the Valium left my system.

Last time you cradled me as I shook.

Without the vulnerability this time.

I’ve only just seen it now.

The same four walls. The same sweat.

 

 

CANVAS

Transparent, as you see through my existence.

You the artist who paints over my windows and obscures my view.

Thick acrylic makes it hard to see through, here there is no brushing past.

There is only.

Me and you.

In a space where thin brushes break and our bodies lay in stillness.

Leaving marks and monumenting moments. Ego floats above as we look below.

Shells filled with colour and texture with no strokes to smooth the edges.

Our own art is us.

Messy hands as you wear stains on your sleeve.

Messy hands as we mix palletes and you become my primary colour.

 

Kenya is a writer and performer from Greater Manchester.