Editors note: This will be the start of a hopefully long series, in which Jazmine Curley's wonderful poetry will be shared. In this months publication, we have two poems, both Odes. Enjoy!
“AN ODE TO FRECKLES”
Those petite, speckled spots
That enhances my beauty
With light-brown, dapple dots,
Making me look like a cutie.
Like flecks of gorgeous gold
On my all-but-fair complexion,
They tell a brilliant story
Of the burdens that I hold,
And swear to be my protection,
To help me reach my glory.
While resembling blood clots
They give off a lot less cruelty.
The heart wants what it wants,
Like beautiful homemade jewelry.
Like so many tales now untold.
Like a stunning, new reflection
Of times being much less gory.
And now being ever so bold.
The most impeccable collection
Of these strange times before me.
With these dazzling little plots,
I turn to you, strained with worry
For my forthcoming renaissance,
Now everything has become blurry.
Like the horizon in the snow and cold,
Not prepared for this perfection
I feel every time that I might see
You with your incredibly uncontrolled,
Perfectly unadulterated affection
For my freckles that you guarantee.
“AN ODE TO APHRODITE”
Goddess of beauty, love, and fertility,
You preside over pleasure, desire, and virility.
You keep the peace when they blame you for hostility.
You’ve done nothing wrong but exist near men's virginity.
Who saw your beauty as a challenge of mutiny.
They say you were the cause, the reason toxicity
Broke out between the Spartans' and Trojans’ fragility.
All because you saw a man in affinity,
One who wanted the love of a beautiful deity.
They compare you to Venus’ futility.
Just a second-rate so-called ‘Goddess’ who came illegitimately.
But you will rise from your ashes like a Phoenix’s nobility
As described by men of antiquity,
Made to sit still, look pretty, and make no inquiry.
There is more to you than this mystery,
Holding onto every aspect of gendered civility.
Yet you live in conflict, forever unsure of possibilities.
Some say you are the child of Zeus’ irresponsibility,
And others will believe you rose from the sea foam beautifully.
But you were merely a child of debility.
I find solace in forever knowing you have the capability.
Able to help those who feel incapability.
When you never knew your own solidity.
Bound to help the helpless, but at the cost of villainy.
They made you a Goddess of beauty, love, and fertility,
But you are my Goddess, the Goddess Aphrodite.
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