Our Women’s History Month celebration would hardly be complete without the queen of them all, Cleopatra!

We offer a nine poem series.

*****

Recorded Reading (1:07): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iy225fpijx9soodln06mt/cleo-nine.mp3?rlkey=0epaznc6xq3bh6bfcrw2l3xh3&dl=0

*****
cleo nine

i said
thank you for
your lessons in earthly power
something i’ve never studied
and for your ongoing
companionship
sweetest of sisters

she said
with the smile
for which the whole world once
stopped spinning

it’s a pleasure
a true pleasure
not like the ones for show
those were nearly all
in life i ever knew
except, except for
too
too briefly
Him …

i’ve got you covered
i’ve got your back
i’m right behind you
beside you
for you
right up against you
feel
me
here

i said
you’re a poet!

she said
oh!

delighted

a gift better than pearls

she’s always
wanted to be
one of those

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level ~ still working seven days a week to contribute to her society, however.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S, or choose to send a personal check to the poet’s ABLE account. It takes about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.