B*TCH

by Nora Gomringer

In our 25th year, we are all about poems that speak Truth. Here the brilliant poet Nora Gomringer shares a love poem… or is it?

took me along
lifted from the box
led by the hand
water from the saucer
placed a collar of cultured pearls around my neck
taught tricks: baking, cooking, sewing on buttons
then one day
abandoned me
after a long drive in a blindfold
or a stick thrown too far

I lifted myself up, discarded my pelt
climbed into high heels and stand now
waiting

from Hydra’s Head, translated by Annie Rutherford (Burning Eye Books)