Dear Anne Sexton - Vanessa Daou

On line at the supermarket

Waiting for the tally

The blue numerals

Tattooed

On the white skins

Of paper

I read your open book

Of folly

And take heart

Poet of my heart

The poet as a housewife!

Keeper of steak & liver

Keeper of keys, locks, razors

Keeper of blood & apples

Of breasts & angels

Jesus & beautiful women

Keeper also of women

Who are not beautiful-

You glide in from Cape Ann

On your winged broomstick-

The housewife’s Pegasus

You are sweeping the skies clear

Of celestial rubbish

You are placing a child there

A heart here.. .

You are singing for your supper

Dearest wordmother & hunger-teacher

Full professor of courage

Dean of women

In my school of books

Thank you

I have checked out

Pounds of meat & cans of soup

I walk home laden

Light with writing you