Iowa Writes
JOSEPH DONKA Shy
She is all shuffled feet and lowered eyes, seeking shelter from sultry summer winds and the lurid leers of men seeking women young and blond with big . . . like her. She glances as she guards a frail match flame and lights a bobbing cigarette. She breathes out, slowly, and the smoke twists through her curls— like the fingers of a jealous lover.
She is all shuffled feet and lowered eyes, seeking shelter from sultry summer winds and the lurid leers of men seeking women young and blond with big . . . like her. She glances as she guards a frail match flame and lights a bobbing cigarette. She breathes out, slowly, and the smoke twists through her curls— like the fingers of a jealous lover. Our eyes don't meet. They collide— accidentally, but with force, bodies on a suddenly stopping subway. Desperate to avoid an imagined intention, she lowers hers and seeks anonymous shelter, unaware that this only makes her more lovely. She stays behind scratched bus stop glass toeing a crack in the walk. Watching my feet with downcast eyes, ready to flee a predator's approach. Wary of me, she misses the muscled man who pounces from behind. Surprised, she bristles at his mating call and shows reluctant claws. She stays all shuffling feet and lowered eyes once the hunter withdraws. She is safe and free and left alone. A smile briefly slips before she demurely casts it to the sidewalk, unaware that it only makes her more lovely.
more |
About Iowa Writes
Since 2006, Iowa Writes has featured the work of Iowa-identified writers (whether they have Iowa roots or live here now) and work published by Iowa journals and publishers on The Daily Palette. Iowa Writes features poetry, fiction, or nonfiction twice a week on the Palette.
In November of 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Iowa City, Iowa, the world's third City of Literature, making the community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
Iowa City has joined Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia as UNESCO Cities of Literature.
Find out more about submitting by contacting iowa-writes@uiowa.edu
JOSEPH DONKA Joseph Donka is a high school English teacher, former newspaper columnist, aspiring young-adult novelist, and shameless libertine. He has attended the 2012 and 2013 Iowa Summer Writing Festivals. He currently lives in Palos Heights, Illinois with his wife, Jenn. If you enjoy his work, please show your appreciation with scotch and bacon. This is day one of our three-day celebration of Joseph Donka's poetry. |