Poems by Heather Pease
I took a shower today
turned water on scald,
stood underneath
until my skin turned pink
just to feel something.
I took a shower today,
picked my favorite
island scented gel,
squeezing it over a puff.
Rubbed my arms, breasts,
waist, my legs and back.
Covered my skin with bubbles.
I always avoid my belly.
I took a shower today,
washed my hair,
and my face.
shaved my legs,
that ridiculous hair
on my big toe.
I took a shower today,
stood body facing shower head,
holding myself,
letting water drench
dripping like hot tears
I am too numb to cry.
I took a shower today
stayed until fingertips pruned
and even longer.
Lingered until steam
filled the room
creating clouds,
I want to sleep on.
Instead, I am in the middle
of a storm.
I took a shower today
Turned off the water
dried myself on fluffy soft towel.
Put on my favorite perfume.
Felt my skin cool.
Took a deep breath.
I took a shower today.
Monster Squatter
The monster in the closet
hears me cry on tear stained pillows.
Moves closer, finding real estate
under the bed,
whispering dark exaggerations
cuddles me in restless slumber.
Slyly moving into my head, taking up
too much space
My thought turn dwelling
of darkness.
This brute keeps me
close, a coy lover.
Flirts fill me with toxic epilogue.
My wary eyes stare at shadows on the wall
resembling prison bars
I no longer want to give rent
to this squatter
all its dense
clump shrubs and twining creepers
making me doubt my own existence
Eviction of monsters an undertaking
to banish a lurker
pilfering my body
making it a domicile
occupied with all its trappings.
Scrawl filled walls inside a chest heavy
with its skewed slant.
Bending my mind, making me doubt myself
It plays listener, tying knots in my stomach
like braiding hair,
this slippery seducer behaves /on occasion
whispering to dress up for dinner
I am no longer craving company
Foreclosure key
to take repossession
of myself and I am
too busy changing locks.
About the Poet
Heather Pease is a Poet focusing on work centering on feminism, sexuality, identity, culture, mental health, politics and domestic violence. She writes from her own experiences, aiming to give voice to vulnerability, making people think about subjects often stigmatized through society. She writes to empower others whose voices remain unheard. She lives in Orange County, CA with her husband, and two daughters and is currently working on her first book of poems.
