sanctum
By: Joshua Peter (he/him)
We were arms and legs,
ruffled pillows and twisted blankets bare writhing bodies reflected in a warped carnival mirror glowing embers of a fallen star Your strokes tentative and wavering in an unsteady tremolo find me where the shy dawn dare caress the black crystal waters that sparkled so green amidst cold oceans of metaphor and warm, streaky peach jam skies gift me, make me, break me, grant me may i find nourishment and sustenance in suckling the dripping honey from your velvet rose-tinted lips slake Your thirst sate Your hunger drink from these fountains and eat from these briars revel in my sanctum but let no blessed water pass my parched lips i will etch soliloquies into the nape of |
your neck
i, the calligrapher, you my masterpiece monet's soleil levant and water lilies botticelli's map of hell and rorshach blots i will find god in your twinkling sepia eyes and repose in the contours of your body chiseled with conviction bold i will trace lines traced long ago and discover you anew lilting auroras behind these tired eyelids sweet aubades of clotted maple cream embroidered into the buttery cashmere shearling of Your lush being knotted, blistering lilac and rose in this churning napalm sea of flames and sculpted ice bold sensual soft caress but never kiss it's five a.m. and i still can't sleep we're out of time there's no stopping what's to come but the taste of jasmine white tea still lingers on my tongue i'm still shouting to the void and playing piano in the brazen dark |
to small but certain happiness: tickling mountain air and sticky nights on the beaches.
inspired by "the starless sea" by erin morgenstern.
for this humble poet’s future lover.
inspired by "the starless sea" by erin morgenstern.
for this humble poet’s future lover.
My name is Joshua Peter and I am an eleventh grader at Elkins High School. I don’t have all the answers. I haven’t self-actualized to the point where I know what I want from life. I make art to cope with these anxieties. In truth, I am not extraordinary nor exceptional: simply an introspective creative seeking his place in this world.