In his collection BETWEENLIFE, Robert Julius writes about life, death, and the dance that goes on in-between. Part elegy, part ode to queer love, this collection risks opening up the tight heart of grief in order to see if there might be a glimmering pearl of hope.
These poems are about observations in nature and simple daily activities. I have a peaceful feeling when reading these. The PDF of this is free at the author's publisher's website. https://ghostcitypress.com/2019-summe...
Pieces from my favorites:
ANIMA MUNDI I believe in the lovers’ shallow pool of breath, air that had been his, then mine, then his again, like that.
AUBADE I wake to the cool blue-grey light of morning and wonder if the sun might wait to peek its bright edge over the horizon. Let me linger here, cast in this light a little longer, where everything is relieved of its usual hue.
DANCING IN THE SUPERMARKET Only you would understand what I mean. If there’s a river carving out what I mean by you and me, I need you to know our bare skin is that river.
WISHING I WERE BARBIE I have called myself by many names, shared those names with you in private. We joke that my poems are more out than I am. ... I’ve read that some quantum particles behave differently when observed. Only I know who I am when no one is watching.
RESONANT FREQUENCY Wet fingertip circling the rim, he makes the wineglass sing. The stem vibrates against the faux granite tabletop. Soon we’re winedrunk, redcheeked, my body that glass in climax.