the Spelling Bee

By Maya Afonso

words, words, words

the embers that burn

the draught that embraces

perfect

with him, the word stands alone,

but it always attracts the others -

son, child, grades;

he can say I’m perfect

and I can too

without the apostrophe, without the space

hiding in the shadow of always

warm

describes him in his jackets and scarfs,

describes his heart, his soul and hand

hand, hands, mine are cold without gloves

too cold to hold others or to grip sentiments.

on my heart, is stamped the word cold,

and the four letters stand alone

want

his want is spelled with ed,

wanted

and I, who wants to be him, steals his want

but I who is still alone

finds company with not

and freedom from solace

not wanted

By Maya Afonso