In vain have I cried for wholesome bond,
thought society to be dead
and overlooked stretch of rocky terrain
punctuated
with patches of yellow-green grass,
it is inevitable,
for every new moon, another man arrives,
desolate
and sick of desires incurable—
what of murmurs that long to find a home
in one’s bosom?
A courtesan’s flesh is as blank canvass;
is scorched by the sun
and spread without thought, glistening white
on the shoulders,
yet, it is of immense value
as one
cannot fathom
wandering anywhere else.
Oh, woe to those who mistake thorn as rose.
I crave beauty employed for raising of spirits,
having laid with many a brute,
sensitive eyes,
for who else
can tear
through inchoate grief,
I am demeanor, taught, not to unravel what
lies buried within.
Should I lose composure or compel the day
away, retrace
your steps back to me— I am dark
with unspecified reasons,
I know not
how to be otherwise,
simply let
loose
the gown and exchange sensibilities.
It is moments
afterward that I may reward you with a kiss.
I haven’t been here before.
Photo credits: Pinterest
Posted for Open Link Night #365 (with Live edition) @dVerse Poets Pub
32 Responses
I love the title, Sanaa, and the exotic feel to your poem, I especially enjoyed:
‘A courtesan’s flesh is as blank canvass;
is scorched by the sun
and spread without thought, glistening white
on the shoulders’.
Thank you so much, my dearest Kim 😍 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
Sanaa this is one of your most sensuous to date – painting that blank canvas with flesh tones and a touch of purity white
“simply let
loose
the gown and exchange sensibilities; ”
what a line to give the customer – deserving of a bonus!
Awww gosh! That is such high praise! Thank you so much, Laura 🥰 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
The courtesan eventually has to wait for her men to grow up … by then, poetry becomes the more desirable suitor.
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Brendan 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Your last line, “I haven’t been here before” speaks of true desire — a kiss given with self-intent, and not that of another.
Thank you so much, Ken 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
I love the seething potential in this, Sanaa. A courtesan who hasn’t had the soul effed out of her is a rare one indeed. Beautiful writing.
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
This line is wow!
“for every new moon, another man arrives,
desolate
and sick of desires incurable—”
Your way with words are phenomenal.
The whole poem is amazing. 🙂
Thank you so much, Charlie 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
intriguing and enchanting.
❤️❤️❤️
There was something in the air today, about looking at women’s bodies. This is so lovely and original
Thank you so much, Alexandra 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
“for whom else
can tear
through inchoate grief”
I love this, and the character study you’ve given us of this woman who retains her strength and hope and seems even to be gaining wisdom.
Nice!
Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
A very poignant poem, Sanaa. Thank you for sharing it.
❤️❤️❤️
The boundaries of self in the courtesan and the interactions with and insights into clients described – this is a masterful or should it be mistressful exploration of the mind of one in the oldest profession, Sanaa, bravo…
Thank you so much, Andrew 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Beautifully written Sanaa and, as so many have remarked, a masterful mixture of sensuality and composure. I’ll add these lines among others’ favorites:
I am demeanor, taught, not to
unravel what
lies buried within.
Thank you so much, Chris 😀 so glad the poem and its imagery appealed to you 💄❤️
A resigned life, though filled with faux pretties accompanied prettier still by the expected have a beautiful longing underneath the ‘dark’.
“I haven’t been here before”.
Nicely done Sanaa
Thank you so much, Stephen 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Thank you for hosting, Sanaa! It was wonderful to hear you read this poem. I like how it hints at her inner strength, and how at the end, one transactional experience might have become something else.
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Your words made me revisit the series “Heeramandi”. Have you seen it.
Your verse is heartbreakingly beautiful. ❤️❤️
Yes I have! I was loosely inspired by the series 😀
Thank you so much, Punam 🥰 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Wonderful words Sanaa. Thought provoking my friend. 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
❤️❤️❤️