Two Poems from Michael Keshigian

SAVAGES

She had heard of the affluent,
the population focused on business
and conversations of power,
trophy marriages and flagrant affairs,
estates and property,
most elegant and impressive,
sometimes they were honest,
mostly boastful.
But she simply entered the room
with a handful of apples
and held one out to him.
Amid its sweet scent
lingered her message;
he had pleased her well enough,
last night and all through the day.
She sat beside him
crossed-legged,
and he, crunching fruit,
sprayed juices upon the floor,
nectar dripped down his chin.
Periodically, she caught him
glance at her
through the corner of his eye,
a telepathic spear
that stabbed her emotions,
a wordless, motionless,
intense entanglement
that delivered his message;
partners, lovers, defenders, hunters,
in silent comprehension.




SWEET PLEASURE

Sweet little chocolate
in the candy shop,
I gave your brown shell
a bite when no one saw,
took your creamy filling
for a ride in my mouth,
on my tongue
to all those secret places
where I might sense the nuance
of your flavored butter breath.
As you awakened my palate,
I tried to appear innocent
from the guilty pleasure
your confectionary sin availed,
greeting the clerk
with a tight lipped smile
as I perused the display
with you discreetly perched
behind my teeth,
slowly melting away.


MICHAEL KESHIGIAN is the author of five poetry chapbooks. His sixth collection Jazz Face , was recently released by Big Table Publishing Co. His poetry has appeared in numerous national and international journals as well as many online publications, including California Quarterly, Barbaric Yawp,Tipton Poetry Journal, Jerry Jazz Musician, Sierra Nevada College Review, and Ibbetson Street Press. He has been a feature writer for The Aurorean,Poetree Magazine, Chantarelle’s Notebook, Bellowing Ark, Pegasus Review, The Illogical Muse, interviewed by Boston Literary Magazine(bostonliterarymagazine.com/Fall2007 Spotlight)) and Reader’s Choice in the Fairfield Review. He is a multiple Pushcart Prize and Best Of The Net nominee. (www.michaelkeshigian.com)



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