Resist Energy: Lust

that touch of yours is as

dangerous as

I’d expected.

— timid hands begging to be held,

stroked,

loved

in a lightless room where

no one

can hear our thoughts and

my weakness is concealed.

And I know that when I do

press your gentle palm against my own for the first time

I will feel too much to think at all.

about infidelity-

about identity-

about selfishness–

and I will have to swallow

that dripping desire

that I try to

ignore

“Restraint” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Self-reflection by Jenn Mann & Flux by Sarah Cannon

Thoughts on Blonde

What is it about

fair blonde hair

that makes me feel less nervous?

Whether it be warm and gooey

like honey

or pale

and soft like

lemonfeathers,

it always baths my mind in

calm.

So-

just before

the daylight dies

–just before the dawn of dreams

I wish for a woman

with locks of light

to make my night as warm as

tea.

” I wish for a Woman” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Emotional Ups and Downs & Fogpak #3 by Filmout

In the Obscuring Mist

I kiss the air for she is me.

In the darkness there’s a body there.

Sultry night on top of me.

I hold myself — I kiss the air.

My body pale make love to thee.

You blind me with black widow hair.

You blind my eyes — I cannot see.

I hold myself and kiss the air.

You seduce with trickery.

You trick me with your shadow snare.

I bare my soul for you to see —

Alas that there is no one there.

“Untitled” by Vanessa Cate

Artwork by Hugo Barros, Louis Riley, and Random Dan; click on photos for more information

Never Yours

When a girl has sails in her eyes

do not try to kiss her ruby-stained lips

or pet her porcelain wrists

for she

belongs

to the salted waves of adventure

that crash

and break

against your hopeful

hands

“Advice for The Optimist” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

The Great Fall

down in the tunnel

where those wispy hairs

grazed my nose

and spun into a web

too loose and frail

to catch me–

you fell up

and I fell down

and we passed through each

other

to find

the light

–to find

the

ground

“The Quest” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork by Hugo Barros

Gone

HIs white walk

hardens in that place between my spine

and my skull–

It feels like holding back tears

and scattered fever chills–

like scraping rusty metal with my splitting fingernail

until the sound numbs my arm

and I cannot speak.

But it is the

last new memory I have

of him.

And

will not bury it

today.

“Gone” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork: Our Great Love Story by Agnes Cecille

Disco Planet

She’s a disco

lollipop

with

golden gloves

that shimmer

and shine

like her

diamond

blood

she’s a million

pouty,

lipstuck

mouths

spitting

kisses

at the crowd

A vulgar splat

invincible youth

hissing at boredom–

so sure of the

truth.

“Cocaine Kisses” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Artwork by MIchelle Cordes

Hide and Seek

search for me

in crisp, light flakes

of ash

that perch

on sills

beneath the bludgeoned clouds,

for snuffed out fires

always warn

of my suffocating

steps

“Now, You See Me” by Angie Hoover-Hillhouse

Judgement by Anyes Galleani