by Rochelle Owens
for Braque and Picasso
Evoking the rhythm of
rhythm of spontaneous changes
the artifact from Africa
heating to the temperature
the temperature of human skin
the artifact from Africa
warming the arms back and chest
of the curator
the artifact from Africa
warming the shoulders and wrists
of the curator
the artifact from Africa
rays of light penetrating
the biceps flexing contracting
the artifact from Africa
resting on the palm
the palm of the curator
the artifact from Africa
smooth as the skin of an apple
glowing warmly
the artifact from Africa
in the palm of the hand
of the curator
the artifact from Africa
lying on the palm
the palm of the curator
the artifact from Africa
the hand of the curator
warming the wood
the artifact from Africa
the hand cupping the little god
the eyes seeing
the artifact from Africa
in the head of the curator
seeing the eyes opening
the artifact from Africa
the long neck
of the little god stretching
the artifact from Africa
the little god bending twisting
the biceps flexing contracting
the artifact from Africa
the rump hips and thighs
totem and taboo totem and taboo
the artifact from Africa
rays of light
illuminating the scrotum
the artifact from Africa
the feet circling
feet and toes jabbing
the artifact from Africa
toenails jabbing into the palm
of the curator
the artifact from Africa
the biceps flexing contracting
the rump hips and thighs
the artifact from Africa
rays of light penetrating
the feet and toes
the artifact from Africa
toenails jabbing forcing
deeper deeper into the palm
the artifact from Africa
blood pushing to the surface
oozing drops of blood
the artifact from Africa
pounding deeper deeper
the nails into the palm
the artifact from Africa
the iron nails a silence
in the palm of a hand
the artifact from Africa
in the head of the curator
the ears hearing
the artifact from Africa
breathing swallowing the breath
passing voiceless
the artifact from Africa
the arms and legs tapering
the breath of the little god
the artifact from Africa
the breath of the little god
inhaling exhaling
the artifact from Africa
the breath of the curator
inhaling exhaling
the artifact from Africa
the breath passing voiceless
voiceless as a fish
the artifact from Africa
voiceless as a fiery particle
voiceless as a bed of ashes
the artifact from Africa
glowlng warmly in the palm
the palm of the hand of the curator
the artifact from Africa
evoking the rhythm of
rhythm of spontaneous changes
Rochelle Owens is the author of twenty books of poetry, plays, and fiction, the most recent of which are Solitary Workwoman, (Junction Press, 2011), Journey to Purity (Texture Press, 2009), and Plays by Rochelle Owens (Broadway Play Publishing, 2000). A pioneer in the experimental off-Broadway theatre movement and an internationally known innovative poet, she has received Village Voice Obie awards and honors from the New York Drama Critics Circle. Her plays have been presented worldwide and in festivals in Edinburgh, Avignon, Paris, and Berlin. Her play Futz, which is considered a classic of the American avant-garde theatre, was produced by Ellen Stewart at LaMama, directed by Tom O’Horgan and performed by the LaMama Troupe in 1967, and was made into a film in 1969. A French language production of Three Front was produced by France-Culture and broadcast on Radio France. She has been a participant in the Festival Franco-Anglais de Poésie, and has translated Liliane Atlan’s novel Les passants, The Passersby (Henry Holt, 1989). She has held fellowships from the NEA, Guggenheim, Rockefeller, and numerous other foundations. She has taught at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Oklahoma and held residencies at Brown and Southwestern Louisiana State. This is Rochelle Owens' twenty-third New Verse News poem.
_____________________________________________________