Shimmer Girl

Poem

I knew a girl once
sly as time sneaking by
right under your nose,
ticking and tocking and
counting breaths till death.

She dressed in a black slink
and rubbed her eyes
with smoke and charcoal
like she were going
into battle.
Farewell, cats.
This kitten’s already
won the war and
you sorry sacks
didn’t even stand a chance.

She kept secrets
like some folk
keep pets.
Kept ’em real close
Doling ’em kisses
and treating ’em nice
in case she found herself
needing ’em later.

When she kissed you
you felt ’em
sizzling and popping
on your tongue
without divulging a word.

And if you wanted to
get on with living after
one of those kisses
you had better just
forget about it.
I oughtta know.

more by NOELLE CURRIE

photograph by Keran Look Loy

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