Sample Poems by Melanie Dellas

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Realization

Without her
your image
is a faded photograph.

The longing
is a thirst
quenched only
by her hair
over her arms,
and her arms
full of you.

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Here I Am

Here I am,
burn me,
keep me forever warm.

I was stuck together with faulty wiring,
so when I blew a fuse,
my system fried.

Here is a stick,
poke my remains,
sift through the ashes

Do you feel?

Here is a boot,
kick my bones
(like you’ve wanted to for so long)

until you smile.
You know all I’ve ever wanted
was to give you pleasure.

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Raven Song

And so behind my eyes
ravens flocked and spat
at one another,
their wings dripping
essence of bird
from my hair.

My odors wrench inside out,
pulse punching through skin
metamorphosing itself
into tiny, feathered tendrils
that coil around my waist
and squeeze.

The glass of wine I drank
is now in the back
of my throat—
bitter bile Merlot.

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She Sells Seashells

Conch shell,
I curl into myself
again and again.
Blending colors and smells
violated and lost
in large rough hands.

Deaf and mute I stand
solitaire
cloaked in a gaudy pink
ruffled gown and a smile
pretending to fit in,
as I’m picked up once more
stared at,
fondled
and thrown back into the waters.