Published September 15th, 2024
Under 25 Poetry Contest #7 – First Place
by Yi Ting Huang (Maegan)
perhaps i am primitivism
pretty pouty lips perfectly unexpressed
flying down perhaps they were beautiful for
a split second echoing silence. i can't
possibly be like everything else? i try to form
coherency through busted lips and foaming at the mouth.
i never liked pain. it's human nature to imitate.
social conversations brooding over wine. ornaments ornate
as they should. keep away. a hazard sign points
most in the other direction – but my lip gloss
rolled that way! i'd chase anything to feel.
and oh how perfectly parallel polite strangers'
plights align with my bright colored eyes.
not true, just the dullest shade of brown
you could imagine, not at all captivating.
i used to play captive just to feel some
semblance of connection, some strings
attached. to the swings, to the ceiling fan.
every arc decorative you'd find in holy roman,
arched like my back, sensual i hope? the vigor pours
out of me like aged wine. i'd never age finely,
there's nothing for me but maximalist taste,
leopard print and armful of jewelry paired
distastefully with sagging bestial gleam. in my eyes.
why can't that be beautiful? i'd never appreciate my youth
worrying about death – i've never met someone
with distinguishing lace down their back.
a sunset nonetheless but lacking,
sagging.
About the Poet
Yi Ting Huang (Maegan) resides in Shanghai, China.
Read the poet's biography on Yi Ting Huang (Maegan)'s Artist Page.
Next in Wax Mag #5:
Candle in the Window
by Sheharyar Kashmiri
Back to Wax Mag #5
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