I just wanted to be sinister and other poems by Stephanie Valente

it’s just a little drop of blood
on my shirt collar,

nothing really –
the lipstick is harder to rub out.

 

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WE’RE ALL UNICORN HUNTING

obviously, if you had to guess, i lost
my compass somewhere. i still have all
the cards in my deck. fate aside, how long
until these lovers are out of the woods?

 

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A SPY LIKE ME

the world could see through us
if it dared. instead, i have your neck
with the smell of dried wine.

what is hiding in your glasses?
that denim jacket? your rough hands?
what secrets do you keep tented somewhere?
i want them all on my body.

in the morning, i’ll wash off your smell,
but i’ll try not to forget it.

 

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MARRIED TO THE MOB

remember that dream where we drove all night?
it’s whiskey for you & burned stars for me. it’s all touching
my neck with one hand, my face hot against your jacket.

then, you tell me stories: almost dying by the forest, a car crash,
a broken leg, too many speeding tickets, an angry lover.

there’s blood on our teeth. it’s raining, but we feel safe. just in this car–
& you’ll say that you’re here to hold me forever. all i want to know is–

are you a wise guy or what?

 

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WELCOME TO THE POST-TRUTH WORLD

are you surprised? we love extra-clean mirrors & cold glass,
we love myths & the heroes that never existed.

when you walk away,
will you promise to look at me when you do it?

 

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About the author:

Stephanie Valente lives in Brooklyn, NY. She has published Hotel Ghost (Bottlecap Press, 2015) and has work included in or forthcoming from Danse Macabre, Nano Fiction, and Black Heart. Sometimes, she feels human. http://stephanievalente.com

Photo Credit: Allison Nichols / IG: @allisonnichols.photo