Charlotte Rauner’s most recent poem to appear here was Blue and crisp (June 2013). This poem was part of a collection that won honorable mention in the Scholastic Poetry Contest.
Savior perspectives
By Charlotte Rauner
Her savior stumbled. She wanted. We were helpless.
His fear was contagious Her eagerness was contagious Together our insecurity
Was contagious
and his lips were bit. and her hair was long. and our hands were sweaty.
With a tightened jaw With painted nails, With crinkled toes
and straight legs and naked eyes, and chattering teeth,
he saved her. he saved her. We were saved.
Together they were frozen Together they were frozen Together we were frozen
and grace was found. and grace was found. and a relationship was found.
He was lanky. She was clumsy. We were incompatible
He was thin. She was distant. We were persuaded.
Only inaudible Only loud Only broken
whispers. whispers. whispers.
Separation he had. Belonging she had. Dreams we had.
Her savior stammered. She was dazed. We were scared.
Her savior saved. She was saved. We were savored.
I love the form! It works so well with the content.
I love the form! It works so well with the content.