by Elisabeth Horan
1938
Nothing should end this violently:
Baby monkeys slide in and out
Of their madres – like the slippery pea pods
So gently –
The wind sabe como tocar (the wind knows how to touch)
A woman’s cheeks
As if they could break her open
Hack easily at the insides of a body
So permanently destroy her –
But they do not.
They take wing
Hovering
With their light hued lips in all the
Ripe flowers
Pistil and stamen alone except for this vigil
So abundant
So giving
With the nectar they make all life – all Edens
All the flying and the crawling and the stinging things
All snakes —
The thorns of Jesus know no harm
Except for when I am wearing it
As a necklace / as a hat
It’s a choice to make.
Whilst I hold the ghost of my baby
Up to the Lord
The eyes of a
Mother begging for change on
The Cathedral crumble steps
And in an offering of peace,
I remember.
This poem will appear in the upcoming book Self Portrait, to be published by Cephalopress on September 30th 2019. Many thanks to the Cephalopress team for allowing us to showcase it here. And be sure to view Frida Kahlo’s painting Self Portrait with a Monkey.
About the book: This book of poetry explores the life and work of Frida Kahlo, suffusing the intensity of her life into a dual-language collection. In her love of language and Frida, emerging poet Elisabeth Horan offers a beautiful meditation on art and that which inspires it. Her connection to Frida is drawn out through the vivid poems and imagery, embedding the personal into a life-story that has become well-known. Horan’s collection illuminates a new approach to Kahlo’s life in its emphasis on shared experience and poetic tribute.
About the Author: Elisabeth Horan is an imperfect creature from Vermont advocating for animals, children and those suffering alone and in pain – especially those ostracized by disability and mental illness.
She is Editor in Chief at Animal Heart Press, and Co-Editor at Ice Floe Press. She has several chaps and collections coming out this year including Bad Mommy / Stay Mommy at Fly on the Wall Press, Odd list Odd house Odd me at Twist It Press, Was It R*pe, from Rhythm and Bones Press, and Just to the Right of the Stove, with Hedgehog Poetry Press. She is a poetry mentor and proud momma to Peter and Thomas. She recently earned her MFA from Lindenwood University and received a 2018 Best of the Net Nomination from Midnight Lane Boutique and a 2018 Pushcart Nomination from Cease Cows. Follow her @ehoranpoet & ehoranpoet.com Her other books are available to buy from: https://www.ehoranpoet.com/my-bookstore.html
Where to buy the book:
From Publisher: https://www.cephalopress.com/books/
From Amazon (ebook): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XZFJ3CT