Poem: Groaning with Graffiti

Posted byShannon LawsPosted inMadrona GroveTags:, , , , , , , , , ,
In the style of Denise Levertov, poet (1923-1997)
Dionysos_satyr_Altemps_Inv8606_n3
The Ludovisi Dionysus with panther, satyr and grapes on a vine (Palazzo Altemps, Rome) Dionysus: God of the Grape Harvest, Wine-making, Wine, Ritual Madness, Religious Ecstasy, Fertility and Theatre.

Three years the poem

of your body, of my

eyes upon your body

of my hands reading

each muscle—

Stroking, sweeping the

scent in the rite of

worship, going down

from the beat of a neck

vein, along broad shoulders,

twisted hair trail,

belly to cock.

For three years that poem, unwritten,

trapped in my mind, not wanting to

share that I lie with Dionysus,

fear that women would take my treasure

or a god, hearing my boast, would end you

~SPL

ariadne_theseus_dionysus_naxos_big
Ariadne is abandoned in Naxos, not knowing she will become the wife of mighty Dionysus Painting by John William Waterhouse

Published by Shannon Laws

Shannon Laws is an award-winning poet, performer, and advocate for the arts. She has been recognized with two Mayor’s Arts Awards and the Dr. Asha Bhargava Memorial Award — Community Champion. Her work has been featured in numerous journals and anthologies, and she has captivated audiences at esteemed literary events, including the Jack McCarthy Evergreen Invitational Slam, SpeakEasy, Poetry Night, Kitchen Sessions, and the West Coast Tagore Festival. Beyond her writing and performances, Shannon actively fosters literary and artistic communities. Since 2022, she has curated Corridor, a monthly “found-art” zine project that showcases the work of more than 50 contributing poets and artists. She is also the founder and host of Poetry Club, an engaging discussion group established in 2015.

4 thoughts on “Poem: Groaning with Graffiti”

    1. Thanks susanissima! Started reading Denise Levertov, an English/American poet, from the 50’s. She used the word “cock” in her poem and it was such a shock to my system, I tried my hand at it. …oh wait, that sounds funny. It’s a shocking word to some, but when I think about a FEMALE POET in the early 20th century using it, it gives it more power. Her awards: Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, US & Canada, Robert Frost Medal, Lannan Literary Award for Poetry

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