We are so pleased to be able to bring you a poem by Jayne Barnes Raso! Patricia has been friends with Jayne since her time spent at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Jayne is a kindred soul for certain. Well known for her insightful spirited poems, articles and her wonderful letters, Jayne now lives in Louisiana. This poem, Chocolate Waters is from her memories from 2009.
CHOCOLATE WATERS
What I collect and Why: Words
Because they are so delicious on the tongue
Delicate, tart, sweetly sibilant when sung
Sliding softly, bellowing stridently – Ha!
(I interject that I collect the best that I can find)
French and Greek whispered cheek-to-cheek
The tongue’s own Valentine
It’s fine to keep them anywhere
Even bottled up inside
Though I prefer to let them rip
Or slur or slip from off my lip
Concupiscent, magnificent, belligerent, divine
I share them promiscuously
People rarely even ask
But the best I share with those who dare
To whirl and skirl and sour and twist
And meet me mind to mind.