Double Take
The second fence hits mid-abdomen
hidden in tourists’ selfies, smiles
despite snipers and gunmetal clouds
I’ve seen bigger. My father tells me
our smiles sink into grimaces
So this is where the President lives?
***
The second fence hits mid-abdomen
hidden in tourists’ selfies, teeth
despite snipers and gunmetal clouds
I’ve seen bigger. My father tells me
our teeth sink into grimaces
So this is where the President lives?
Olfactory Memory
My grandparents’ screened-in porch. Concrete slab surrounded by grass then maroon and white rocks, neatly organized into separate sections. My grandfather kept elaborate shrubbery that we simplified after he died. Halfway-outside where we kept the convection oven to cook ham on Christmas and Easter.
***
An early 90’s Thunderbird in 2001. Cloth top driven by my high-school boyfriend. His father picked it for him. Stuffed the backseat with papers and water bottles, little football equipment. In an empty parking lot with the windows rolled up. The sun melting us.
***
Cafeteria turned dance recital dressing room. Hairspray. New Lycra pealed from plastic bags. Tap shoes on linoleum. Mothers applying makeup to their daughters. Heavy black mascara. Concealer over mosquito bites and bruised knees. Tiny cut made by sequins bleeds.
9:00 AM Chant
Go home
Save money
Lose weight
Find love
Be happy
Be home
Go money
Save weight
Lose love
Find happy
Find home
Be money
Go weight
Save love
Lose happy
Lose home
Find money
Be weight
Go love
Save happy
Save home
Lose money
Find weight
Be love
Go happy
Danielle Evennou grew up in suburban New Jersey. For over a decade, she has hosted poetry readings, workshops, and open mics in Washington, DC. Her poetry and memoirs have appeared in apt, Dryland, Gargoyle, Blue Collar Review, Split Lip Magazine. She is the author of the chapbook Difficult Trick (Dancing Girl Press, 2017). Her website is http://www.whatevennou.com. To read more by this author, see her essay on mothertongue from the Literary Organizations Issue; and her poem in the Mapping the City issue.