Today’s poem was part of a special launch schedule during National Poetry Month from April 1—30, 2024. I posted a new poem daily for 17 days and then got knocked off schedule because…I moved! This challenge restarted on May 1 and continues for the 13 days I missed. The final summary of all poems will be sent to all subscribers on May 24 and otherwise can be viewed for free in the archives here. Thank you for being here!
“ORGASM”
Weary fuchsia slapped on powdered cheeks, avoid the oil-slick mess of youth to become dry and pinched, pallid as a corpse at prom. Dead by the weight of their fictions, she’s ghost-adjacent, a projection made of glass and bubble dreams. & years later, as it shattered, their shadows lifted like honey: sweet victory with a languid dis-ease. Now in the light, skin pale, hair black, more witch than Snow-White, brought to life by a Nars peach, keen to make a subtle place among the living, glittered cheekbones marvelling at how far the paper-gods went to bring her back.
P.S.
This poem started when I saw the word “fuchsia” in a poem I was reading, and when you’re writing a poem every day, you just go wherever the mood strikes. I remember performing as a kid (much to my discontent) and always being given the bright fuchsia blush treatment. If it’s not harsh and obvious, then you’re doing it wrong. I’ve had the blush shade Orgasm by Nars since I was a teenager, after reading in some now defunct teen magazine how it’s the cult favourite “universally flattering” shade of peachy-pink with built-in highlight. I’m still using it.