Vignettes of Another Life – Blackout Poetry Series by Chloe Blanchard
“Hold “ (IMG 4101)
Transcript:
I blink Praying
He take my wrists
It all
becomes clear Adrenaline spikes
I’m awake
I can
cut you out of this moment
testing my
plastic bites
cutting into my skin
hands leads me over to this
corner
heartbeat
quick tired
I
grasp
Don’t let go
“Walking Contradiction” (IMG 4104)
Transcript:
unexpectedly something, preferably
in a temper
I should respond
but I’m suddenly too angry. Why can’t he
switch off seething, staring into
the darkness vulnerable
adolescent? Why did they stop?
he had enough.
My subconscious leering
nauseated
struggle out and fire up again
impatiently waiting
littered with
some
glorious
a lot more to discover
a walking mass of contradictions
still on his own
“She” (IMG 4105)
Transcript:
tall, blond, and immaculate
I’m reminded of the women
like an identikit model
outstretched hand
making it worth my while
we shake hands know she
doesn’t tolerate fools
She gives a pointed stare
What can I do for you?
She
Instructs me
Her no-nonsense attitude
about taking it every day
she’s burning with curiosity
I don’t give her any details I don’t think
she’d look collected
as we pass
to the art gallery
“Silence” (IMG 4110)
Transcript:
I flush red
and wait
blinks
holds the door open wide
I glance at
Muted dark purples and golds with bronze starbursts
I should help myself
I assume no longer
water running
send me
the problem
here that I’m interested in
I want to see what will offer
if [he] doesn’t take his eyes off me
I’m not sure
Tomorrow
the silence stretches
quietly wide and cautious
“Distance” (IMG 4111)
Transcript:
too naïve My
sphere of reference
are all fictional
outraged frightened
I haven’t finished
molten
silver
you liked me
You can do this
Can I?
an albatross around my neck
bite
slowly
innocence
chooses this moment to knock
has broken the spell
if I stay
I need
Some distance to think about all he’s said
“She’s An Animal” (IMG 4115)
Transcript:
bleeding
Doesn’t bother me
Does it bother you
Maybe it should
Soft cloudy gray
not at all
uncurls from around me on the floor
small, round white
scars
hardly affected they must
be burns blanch shock and
revulsion coursing through me
Who did this
wild hope blossoms
hope that I am wrong
wide-eyed with alarm
Your scars
in a split second his stance chang-
ing
calm to defensive angry
darkening into a thin, hard
line
he snaps
holds his hand out for me
scolding
I flush, chastened
stubbed cigarettes out I feel
sick
“Did she do that?”
I’m forced to look at him
She’s an animal
Find more from Chloe on her personal and poetry Instagrams, and see some more black out poems from this series on the Baby Teeth Patreon tomorrow!
Executive Producers
Sue White
Daniel Henson
