Living as a lesbian underground, fin de ciecle
By Cheryl Clarke

here under this pile of 20th century,
my ass is sore from
taking in air at the surface of this mask.
so close i have worn it since the defoliation
of 14th street. a highblown and wasted blues.
the same vamp after sorry vamp.
and burning indochine flesh.

From Living as a Lesbian: Poetry, published by Firebrand Books. ©1986 by Cheryl Clarke. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author.

Copyright © 1997-2001 by Cave Canem Foundation, Inc.

HOME | CONTACT | NEXT POEM