freckled sunlight flits through the waking waters
swimming swells and blushing waves
flushed with morning heat
implode in a froth at my feet
rapturously
recede
“All of You, Always” by Meaghan Merrifield
Artwork by Hugo Barros
Steadily it Goes
the spiraling scarlet
deepens and darkens
with the aging day
swollen
susceptible
steadily swooping decay
breathes faint
drip from molding mouths
in an echo
that unintentionally spills out
it blows through the blood
and rattles the ribs
settles tenderly underfoot
as the light creeps to a dim
“Steadily it Goes” by Meaghan Merrifield
Artwork by Vince Pezzaniti
Devoid Dessert
pastel painted lips
part without purpose
others drink
they sip
sleepily
slender fingers swirl silky locks
lean limbs fold and uncross
doe-eyes
distant
find fulfillment in candy-coated confetti caresses
“Devoid Dessert” by Meaghan Merrifield
Artwork by Cardboard Cities
Mind’s Eye
the mind’s ever-discerning eye
watch
as it wanders around
bodies
unbound
leave the lazy ground
from the tops of toes
above humidity’s hum
fruit flows
from consciousness’s stream
heavy heads open and fall
legs
step in
to let
eyes
look out
“Mind’s Eye” by Meaghan Merrifield
Artwork by Paper Whistle
Music Mash: Nico & Sammy Slabbinck
I’ll be your mirror
Reflect what you are, in case you don’t know
I’ll be the wind, the rain and the sunset
The light on your door to show that you’re home
When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you’re twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind
Please put down your hands
‘Cause I see you
I find it hard to believe you don’t know
The beauty that you are
But if you don’t let me be your eyes
A hand in your darkness, so you won’t be afraid
When you think the night has seen your mind
That inside you’re twisted and unkind
Let me stand to show that you are blind
Please put down your hands
‘Cause I see you
“I’ll be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground & Nico
Artwork by Sammy Slabbinck:
Lit Mash: Her Sexual Awakening
She was stretched on her back beneath the pear tree soaking in the alto chant of the visiting bees, the gold of the sun, and the panting breath of the breeze when the inaudible voice of it all came to her. She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace, and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight. So this was a marriage! She had been summoned to behold a revelation. Then Janie felt a pain remorseless sweet that left her limp and languid.
Zora Neale Hurston Their Eyes Were Watching God
Artwork by Leigh Viner
The Lonely Man’s Monster
His fingertips
made numb by the chills of solitude
reach out
to feel her body writhe.
She is a cold, wet snake under his touch,
slick and yielding like clay.
Whispers in the stale air agree
that she is a decaying wretch.
Still,
he seeks her spoiled heart
and her cloudy eyes
to save him from seclusion.
“The Lonely Man’s Monster” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse
Artwork: “Utentes Adormecidos” by Hugo Barros
http://society6.com/hugobarros/Utentes-Adormecidos_Print
Paradise to Keep
A piece of Morning dove in
to splash my chest with fresh sea salt.
I ran my naked fingers over her
belly
swollen with rainwater
but soft,
for she was cloaked
in wispy cotton
clouds
and flecks of broken sun.
My head was plain
before today,
but its flame has been rekindled.
For she will forever
wriggle playfully between the dips in my knees
spreading sunshine over
my brown bones
“A Piece of Morning dove in” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse
Artwork by Sarah Cruce
The Show Tell Project 