by Chloë James
This is just to say,
that I’d like to take the box
from your freezer, and sit indian-style with
my back to your fridge, across from you,
your knees making a valley for pitted fruit:
one for me, one for you,
until our fingers and mouths and the linoleum
are sticky; until we curl for sleep
in our sugared breath, safe, after
swallowing anxiety and exposure,
respectively cold, and sweet,
no apologies
for the empty paper box.
Chloe James earned her BA in English at BYU in April 2005. She presented her original
poetry portfolio at the National Undergraduate Literature Conference (WSU, 2005)
and was one of three students chosen to present individual creative work for the
English Department Reading Series (BYU, 2004). Chloe enjoys photography, oil painting
and the solitary drive to Southern Utah. She currently lives in Sandy with her dog,
Skipper. and loving roommates (most call them her parents).
This is her second appearance in Inscape.