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The Sunday Poem: Demetria Martinez... Before You

Who do poets write for? It is seldom the anonymous public...it is for you, my love.

Albuquerque writer Demetria Martinez won the Western States Book Award for Fiction for her novel Mother Tongue. She is also a regular contributor to the independent progressive biweekly, The National Catholic Reporter. Martinez and DCF Sunday Poet Elaine Schwartz have organized a local reading of ABQ Poets Against War, to be held Sunday, October 24th in the Harwood Cafeteria at 3:00. A dozen more poets will join them. The national group of Poets Against War has its own web presence.

Before You

My poems had no you
No eye
of a needle
to pass through
No hot
coals over
which to walk

Nine lives
Sacred heart
Red nails
Lips open
to the whys of the world

Before you, nothing

I pin these poems
on you like stars,
tattoo tears

Where you go, these words
go, forever
my suitcase ready at the door.

--Demetria Martinez

Poetry submissions are always welcome. Email theditchrider@gmail.com.

Note: Absence of the Sunday Poem last week was due to the editor being trapped on a train without internet.

Tags: Martinez, poetry

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Comment by Margaret Randall on October 10, 2010 at 9:02am: Oh, Demetria, what a beautiful love poem. And more than a love poem, it encompasses so much of who we are and what we are about in these times. I so love the line "My poems had no you" and the poem follows it up fulfilling every promise. Thank you!

Comment by cathyray on October 10, 2010 at 9:50am: yes!

Comment by Ben Moffett on October 10, 2010 at 12:34pm: I like your poem,your politics, your courage, and the name "Demetria." Thank you.

Comment by Barelas Babe on October 10, 2010 at 2:01pm: Simply put: I loved the rhythms of your words and the way you capture one love for another. A gorgeous Sunday poem for a gorgeous October day. Thank you.

Comment by Dee Cohen on October 10, 2010 at 4:36pm: Yes, lovely.
Thank you for sharing this.
And thanks to DitchRider also.
Last Sunday had a poem-size hole in it. Dee