Author: Shannah Schilit

I’ve got
Hot

I’ve got
Hot Short

I’ve got
Hot Short Red

I’ve got
Hot Short Red Hair

Look if you dare!

I’ve got–

Hair Short Red Hot
Red Hot Hair Short
Short Hot Hair Red
Hot Hair Red Short

crashing down
on my pillow
as I LAUGH
and fall back
on my bed

I’ve got–

Did you hear what I said?

What do you got?
I got red on my head
I got red on my bed

I once knew a long-haired bitch
but she’s dead–

I killed her with a snip-snip-snip
and a dye-dye-dye
then she rose again Red
with Angel’s wings!
watch her fly-fly-fly…

[for Suzanne]

She’s the most
secure woman
on the earth:

Comfortable

simply being
who she is.

She re-defines
Femininity,
with a Face
unafraid to be bare,
framed by
perfect
adorning spirals;
her hair.

She’s got
skin like pearls
and gloved hands
to protect her fairness

She’s got
eyes like emeralds
that shine with joy
when she smiles

She’s got
a laugh
better than a
Hebrew Matriarch’s

She’s simply
at ease with herself

Man,
you are
sharp

as an icycle

and you
keep me
on my toes

like a ballerina

all the while
you have me
bending over
backwards for you

like a gymnast

blindly
leaping
in faith:

Man, you have me
believing in you
more than in god

not so sure about him–
but you’re here:
in flesh, bones, muscle–

you’re here

like a star in my sky,
and ignorant girl
that I am–
I know nothing–
except–that I am–

lost without you.

Splendid
[for Stephen]

Thank you
for a Splendid
Night at
Mirabelle;
following
the red-brick-path
to the door,
and then–inside–
I never felt
quite so well
as I felt
at Mirabelle;
enjoying a meal
that looked & tasted
sensational,
so Perfectly French
and how perfectly, you
treated me–
helpless maiden
that I am
you were sure
to get the door,
a raindrop on
my cheek
on the way
out–
made me feel
alive.

Joie de Vivre
[For Arielle]

She has a
Winsome demeanor,
a Scientific mind,
and a Lively spirit;

She sees the world:
great places,
great people
great moments…
are all hers.

She has just begun
her Adventures;

her friends beckon her
to come home anon

Because she is loved–
and when she returns,
she will have
stories to tell?

I’ve got a pink
Rose, that is dried
preserved forever–
won’t fade away,
no petals dropping,
nothing falling;
I’ve got a Pink Rose
that is dried.
I’ve got romance,
I’ve got chocolate,
and I’ve got a Pink?
yes, I’ve got a pink–
Rose, Forever:
and I’ll never, ever
have to
watch it die.

What is it to you?
Perhaps nothing,
but it is Everything to me.
What is it to you?
perhaps a strand of DNA,
but it is Everything to me.
What is it to you?–
Perhaps something
to dye and chop,
but it is Everything to me.

Like Ladies in Fairytales,
Like Jewesses
Before the Common Era,
Like Ancient Greek Goddesses
Like Mermaids & Nymphs,
Like Shakespearean Women–
I, too, have Long Locks,
raise not!–
a scissor to them.

It’s like
Being
at the end
of My Line,
and then–
Hashem.

It’s like
Being
out of breath
and then–
Hashem.

It’s as if
I’ve been
Expended
beyond myself,
and then–
Hashem.

It’s as if
I Am
nearly faint,
and then–
Hashem.

At which point,
there is nothing else
But The One
what else is there?–
but one more little breath:
I Breathe Him In.

It’s a nice fantasy:
Paris & Greece…
but I’ve got a shop to keep.
It’s a nice dream
that keeps the heart alive,
but I’ve got a shop to keep.
Sorry to lead you into–
thinking I meant I wanted to go–
oh no!– I always do that.
Anyway, it was just pretend,
but still you’re a lucky friend.
And the thought that you
would have and wanted to
give me the experience
is what really matters–
but I’ve got a shop to keep.
I guess I–just wanted to see–
what you would say…

If you want my body
and you think I’m sexy
please DON’T let it show

If you want my body
and you think I’m sexy
please DON’T let me know

If you want my body
and you think I’m sexy
please GO!

I’m takin’ me a walk
and I’m buyin’ me a cuppa joe
I’m seein’ if you can keep up
and get in my flow

If you want my body
and you think I’m sexy

So?