A new poem by New York City-based poet Sophie van Waardenberg.

Hymn to Twee Possibility

In the houseboat in the film about lesbians
there is a piano. There was a cat, too, before it died,

a cat with little feet. They make their coffee the way I do
but in a bigger pot, and I could live with a tiny kitchen

where the walls are yellow and curve together
to clasp like hands. I’d cook

deliciously and economically. I could live with the swaying.
I could live on the water, as long as I live with a girl

who can steer. I should mention that in the film
they’re in love, then they’re not—but they never weren’t.

I’ll die before I let anyone stop loving me,
so what do I want? To be taken by the wrist

and led to a bench in the sun, where I’ll sit sweet
as an extra, watching the river, everything benign.

But listen, a houseboat—the mornings so morning,
the evenings so clean. On the stovetop,

room enough to light the ends of tagliatelle on fire.
I am almost ready for this life.

 

The Friday Poem is edited by Chris Tse. Submissions are currently closed.