Manny Beltran’s most recent poem at vox poetica was Morning Poem and it appeared in July. You’ve also seen his art paired with different pieces and as the cover for the first Contributor Series. His poem today begins in one place and ends someplace totally different.
The Kiss
By Manny Beltran
I gently close my eyes,
I lean forward slightly,
Eager for the taste of your lips,
The subtle warmth it gives me,
The reminder of my love for you,
The peaceful touch,
The knowledge that I am not alone,
The joy that you are my true love,
I ache for the touch,
That makes me tremble,
And fills my stomach with butterflies,
But my affection is not felt,
And is returned with a single swing,
A slap across my face,
That leaves me with tears,
And stings my flesh,
And shame that I still love you.
Ah, the sting of love. Nicely done.
Manny, you describe love to a tee- even fumbling youth often misses the sweetness of a kiss, and it still describes it perfectly!
untitled VI
Manny Beltran’s poem The Kiss appeared here in September. This poem explores a universal theme and one that Manny has worked into his visual art as well.untitled VIBy Manny BeltranI watch the hours passSo quickly do they turn to daysA single moment means nothingAs the hands of time progressMonths come and go effortlesslyWithout a single point of remembranceYet beat vividly while they canBefore melting back to grayA simple life lost in its tideIt sways and struggles pointlesslyAching desperately to be more than it canThe pendulum never to return here againOnly the lines on our faces remainA reminder we have conquered …