dirty & queer writing workshop 10.17.10

metaphor, body parts: freewrite, 10 minutes

sweat. points on the body that glow like embers. between the rock of chest muscles, the simmering of belly, glowing lit tips of fingers. heavy scent, thick as cinnamon, cardamom, ash. flashes of skin smell when i cook, knead dough, chop onions, my sweat out of tear ducts. milk smell. almonds. sweat instead of body above me, sweat becoming the density of bone, the foundation. i dig in dirt to pull up the glands seeping sweat into nutrient saturated loam; the beginning of a body. press seeds into. plant something i may or may not find later. the starts that curl out, the fresh green sharp smell of them; the unknowing green of survival.

sexy in every day locations #1: freewrite, 5 minutes.

i wrap fingers through chainlinked fence, cold metal of chicago november. close my eyes, hear the rattle of rough and tumble summer bounty. memory of sweat thick voice in ear, streetlamp fury of kiss, spark of palm on face. gravel underfoot, keep walking, nearly miss my bus.

#2: freewrite, 5 minutes.

“jim hearts devon” “suzie + kelly 4ever” scratched into the stall door. i am pants around ankles, bare ass on white porcelain, head and bladder whiskey heavy. the room so cold my piss steams. door swinging open and shut, echoing shouts, laughter, water out of faucet. rest my head against graffiti-ed tile wall.

body part zoom in: free write, 10 minutes.

i do not know that toe.
above rubber sole and hard curve of boot tip,
i do not know that toe.
encased in sock, i imagine, half moon of toe nail
big toe snug spooning against four smaller siblings.
i know cheek to boot
cool leather on flushed face
but i do not know that toe.
know firm nudge of boot;
steel toe? i do not know.
just hard welcoming arch of laced up tight
of matte sheen, clean boots, never without.
but i do not know that toe.
know only grateful acknowledgment of boot,
soft voice through well worn leather
again, cool leather, breathing leather fitted around unknown toe.
my head bowed, no eye contact
no toe contact
just once animal now messenger of my voice to you.
cheeks whisper of please and sir to your toe
unknown. waiting.