#lyd havens

Video Poem: Lydia Havens

a poem by Lydia Havens from their chapbook, I Gave Birth to All the Ghosts Here, available from Nostrovia! Press here:

http://nostroviapress.bigcartel.com/product/i-gave-birth-to-all-the-ghosts-here-by-lydia-havens

“Aubade for gender (or a lack thereof)”

If I must have a corporeal form I will do so
on my own terms: I will exist the most when
the sun also exists the most. Raging

against the dying spite. Making every
third-story window into my own
reflection. There is pink in the sky

every morning, so there will be pink
in my own face always. My hair will
grow into its own astronomy. I have

entire months under my fingernails,
and they all taste like the pronouns
that do not rest easy in my mouth

anymore. May this be my coming out
poem. May this be another liminal
Sunday morning. I’ll fall asleep at 10AM

to the rhythm of my legal name,
wake up to the effortless syllable
that all my friends call me.

There is light coming in through
the shutters. It all reminds me
of my own arms.

Much love and see you next week! <3
-Christopher

*

We’ll have a new Tavern post each Wednesday, giving an inside look at the N!process, so stay tuned for more updates!

Week 1: Submissions
Week 2: Reading Chaps
Week 3: Bob’s Done Reading
Week 4: Determining Top ~20
Week 5: Featured Finalists!
Week 6: The Winners!
Weeks 7-8: Editing
Weeks 9-10: Editing Progress
Week 11: Blurbs, Part 1
Week 12: Blurbs, Part 2
Week 13: Covers!
Week 14: Stephen’s Video Poem