A Response For Orpheus

HOW CONVENIENT OF A METAPHOR IS MY MENTAL ILLNESS?
YOU MILKWEED OF A POET, YOU SHROUDED GLASS OF A MAN,
HOW SWEETLY DOES THIS NIGHTSHADE
LINE UP IN YOUR NARRATIVE STRUCTURE?

DO YOU GET MY TRAUMA STUCK UNDER YOUR GUMS
WHILE RECITING THE VOWEL SOUNDS OF THIS HORROR THAT TUCKS ME
INTO BED AT NIGHT ? MHM, I BET
“VICTIM” JUST LOOKED SO NICE AROUND MY COLLAR
YOU COULDN’T HELP BUT MAKE IT A SIMILE
FOR WHAT A GREAT MAN YOU ARE.

I SEE YOU PLUCKED THE SCARS RIGHT OFF MY ARMS
AND PUT THEM IN THE LAST STANZA OF YOUR SLAM POEM.
I BET THE GRASSHOPPER SYMPHONY OF SNAPS WILL
REALLY EARN YOU THAT 10.
GO ON, HOLD UP MY CROOKED LIMBS
FOR THE CROWD. JUST
WIPE THE BLOOD OFF YOUR MOUTH, BOY.

OH HOW SWEET THE FRUIT OF MY LABOR
TASTES LICKED OFF THE MICROPHONE.
WHAT A GOD OF THE VERSE YOU ARE.
SUCH A WORDSMITH.
AND ALL YOUR BEST LINES
ARE SHAPED LIKE MY CASKET.

By Dorothy McGinnis

Biography:

A poet from Salt Lake City, Utah, Dorothy does her best as much as she can and also confirms she is definitely not twenty two very small baby ducks disguised as a 19-year-old woman. Dorothy has represented Salt Lake and Sugar house at the National Poetry Slam (2016, 2017) the International World Poetry Slam (2017), the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (2017), and has been chosen as the representative for the 2018 Women of the World Poetry Slam. Dorothy teaches poetry at Skyline High School, a role she loves. Her work has been seen in the Rising Phoenix Press, Feminist Thread, and the her two chapbooks, titled “On Becoming a Volcano” and “O Bless Rivers Even When they want to Overflow.” Her work has been nominated for Sundress Press’ Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize.