The skin of the almond,
which is difficult to digest as a concept,
don’t get me wrong,
I know how unnerving it is to give away reins
to somebody else,
but humor me this—hasn’t the erotic always
been easier to discern in its crudest form?
Just as an almond is prepared,
soaked in lukewarm water all through the night
and peeled off in the morning;
aren’t we better without our defenses?
The erotic is a measure between the body
and soul;
is a songbird known for its lovelier voice,
metaphorically speaking,
I always prefer it best
when the skin comes in contact,
a blossoming sensation that begins
at first inside the throat,
as breath becomes caught in a whirlwind–
one day, I will whisper them all in his ear,
so that he knows,
I am an inhabitant of vertebral column,
collarbone,
shoulder blades, rib cage
and bones, it’s a price one pays when besotted.
I lie awake in the early hours of the morning;
feel the rays of the sun
behind shy clouds,
it’s incredible how he manages to touch
with just words,
one would say, there are entire novels etched
in the small of my back,
but sometimes, it is simply not enough,
not really,
what of fiery exchanges that cause limbs
to extend,
carob brown as a thunderstorm
and at times,
a few shades lighter—perhaps, he hears
all that I am unable to express.
I merely abide, what feels like centuries long
prelude to lead me into oblivion,
his lips, a paragraph long from Ella
Wheeler Wilcox,
only, she doesn’t know
that wine pales in comparison—
I crave them,
just as parched land does when it doesn’t rain,
delicately, darkly, and so
an unbearable ache erupts whenever he
calls me by my name,
I figure, eroticism would be nothing,
without a little lament.
I won’t apologize for thoughts that make way
when the subject arises.
The erotic is a measure between…
Photo credits: Pinterest
Inspired by the title of Kyle Dargan’s poetic masterpiece, “The erotic is a measure between,”
the subject never ceases to amaze 🩷
Posted for Open Link Night #352 – December Live Edition
26 Responses
Amazing, and what a great reading,,, everyone who missed the reading, and the skin of the almond is a wonderful metaphor…
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
ah sanaa! this hits me like an opening, a pipe down into my depths. this poem is a light in the dark place. are those your shoes? anyone in a relationship with you is lucky indeed.
Thank you so much, Eric 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Sanaa, really enjoyed hearing you read this one. I felt the yearning throughout.
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
As I said at OLN LIVE, I LOVE the almond metaphor in the beginning. I found this delectable to hear and enticing to read!
Thank you so much, Lillian 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
What a great use of almond skins to compare and digest thoughts and desires through. I think some people just enjoy breaking the skin, and see that act as sort of ‘action erotica’? I d not know, because to me, erotica is gentle ways to be loved and free, much like many of the sentiments and images you layer in the poem.
Thank you so much, Oloriel 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
“I figure, eroticism would be nothing,
without a little lament.” Seems so true!
Thank you so much, Petru 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
It was wonderful to hear you read this, Sanaa!❤️
I love the almond metaphor and the idea of the erotic as measure of in-between.
I loved this line:
“there are entire novels etched
in the small of my back,” 💙💙
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Beautifully written, Sanaa. Such great descriptions of the erotic experiences that are always changing and we never seem to understand it all. You are at a wonderful place in your life. Enjoy and soak it all up… Life moves on at a fast pace!
Thank you so much, Dwight 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
I love the ‘skin of the almond’ metaphor, Sanaa, and the idea that ‘the erotic is a measure between the body and soul’. I also love these lines:
‘…I will whisper them all in his ear,
so that he knows,
I am an inhabitant of vertebral column,
collarbone,
shoulder blades, rib cage
and bones, it’s a price one pays when besotted’
and
‘I figure, eroticism would be nothing,
without a little lament.
I won’t apologize for thoughts that make way
when the subject arises’.
Amazing!
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
What a brilliant metaphor using the skin of the almond! Your poem is erotic bliss! Sanaa, your imagery is amazing!
You are so kind! Thank you so much, Colleen 😀 so glad you liked it! 💄❤️
Lovely poem, Sanaa, an eloquent exploration of the erotic! JIM
Thank you so much, James 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Luv that almond metaphor and enjoyed hearing you reaf this poem Sanaa
Much♡love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Hi Sanaa — I’ve really enjoyed the OLN Live Thursdays, sorry to hear they’re going away. Reading and contributing to the poetry of the d’verse online community has been wonderful, and I hope I am able to in the new year… it is my intention — when possible. Kathy comes home this Wednesday, and it appears we will be rejoining her battle, so my writing may be less frequent into the future — we will see what presents itself, as I am also dealing with my own issues. This is my 20th year posting poetry online, across a number of wonderful organized sites… and it is a joy I will not allow myself to completely abandon. I am sending this message to those in this dVerse community to whom I am most drawn, and who have shown me consistent kindness. Happy holiday to you my friend. You are a pleasure to read. ✌🏼🫶🏼
I am so moved by your words, Rob! 🥰 Thank you for your kindness and thoughtful comments on my poems. Hope to see you in the New Year.
Sending love to you and Kathy 💄❤️