TWO POEMS
Sep 01, 2021
2 minutes
PATRICK ROSAL
When Prince Was Filipino
It was 1983 I was 14 years old the nightCharmaine Makaiyak led me in secretto the basement kitchen of St. Matt’s cafeteriaShe put her lips on my left earlobeand soft-sang two choruses of Prince’s “Do Me”so I might finally learn how to slow dance rightWas it winter?—because the prettiest sophomoreat the Annualtook my hand and an icy waveclimbed up my banks a blizzard windshook both my alleys and all my leavesfell off my trees
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days