Stick & Poke by Richard Chiem

Backs of people standing in line wearing cloud, star, and a heart-printed colorful robes

Stick & Poke

1
Little perfect
aches haunt
the morning,
and my
schedule
in just the way
I love it

I wish
I could
do better.

I want
tender
sugar
cereal
at a weird
time of day

and there
is no
compromise
in me

I simply
crave it.

2
The future
is dangerous
and I play
with my
lighter

I have never
felt more at
a loss nor more
at ease

Imagine a girl

standing in the
middle of a cold
lake in an old
big dress with
her arms out

That’s me

with my
arms out

The look
of relief
on
her
face
is as bright
as peaches.

3
A white
creme cellar
door inside
me opens
when I’m
typing basic
keys

& I never

learned
How to
Talk Right.

I’m bad
at looking

I’m bad
w/ eyes

The room
is crowded

& the system
of references is
not referencing me

I have never
seen myself
in a movie

before you

punched me

The clock

& left.

4
Hanging out

is like
tending
a community
garden

Every day
gorgeous
oranges

radishes

& Air Plants
with minds
of their own

A rock
Is a
crystal.

I want
a stick
& poke
garden

Ink on blood
flowers

Where I
won’t say
anything.

Tags: richard chiem

Richard Chiem is the author of You Private Person (Sorry House Classics, 2017), and the novel, King of Joy (Soft Skull, 2019), which was long listed for the 2020 PEN Open Book Award. He was named a 2019 Writer to Watch by the Los Angeles Times. He has taught at Hugo House, Catapult, and at the University of Washington Bothell. He lives in Seattle.

Sami Martasian is a Boston-based visual artist and illustrator. They make music as Puppy Problems. You can find more of their work on Instagram @Spookysami or reach them for commission work at samanthamartasian@gmail.com.