Homeless
Maria Gregorio
A sheet of leaves hide him,
feathers ripple from wind.
Below, absence
next to fire escape,
cable wire, leafless bush
before bloom.
Where his landmarks were:
a pile identical to last week’s
art exhibition. A group of
sliced branches
crossing each other.
Think gut strokes,
saw tremble.
The starling cleans
himself. Stares down,
then at me. Songless.
He belts out a single note
croon. It echoes
against brick, side to side.
Below, nest upturned
barely visible
laying on the landlord’s
triumph.
feathers ripple from wind.
Below, absence
next to fire escape,
cable wire, leafless bush
before bloom.
Where his landmarks were:
a pile identical to last week’s
art exhibition. A group of
sliced branches
crossing each other.
Think gut strokes,
saw tremble.
The starling cleans
himself. Stares down,
then at me. Songless.
He belts out a single note
croon. It echoes
against brick, side to side.
Below, nest upturned
barely visible
laying on the landlord’s
triumph.
Listen to Maria read the poem here:
Working notes
I began these poems from a strong sense of emotion, which throughout my life, have been told directly or indirectly should be kept under control. As women, when we express our emotions passionately, society will often oppress, suppress, demonize, or chastise us for doing so. Perhaps when emotion is at its most raw, it is like an animal instinct, which is why people fear it. Creativity allows us to express our emotions non-violently, while deepening our relationships and wisdom. I believe that to be able to express emotion about ourselves and others is a feminine, earthy, and natural quality that everyone has, regardless of gender. We can choose how we express it, if we do so at all.
About the author
Maria Gregorio was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in the U.S. Her work has been published in an anthology, Voices of Brooklyn (Face to Face Press, 2000) and on-line with New Trespass Magazine UK (2012). Maria has performed as a featured poet in numerous venues throughout New York City and London. She currently works as a social worker and lives in Queens, New York.