Critics Be Damned: Janet Grillo

April 24, 2020, Kate Belew With Janet Grillo (Los Angeles)

They hadn't met in years and yet he knew

the corner of her mouth as it turned to smile

the wide horizon of her hips, the lilt she gave her lies

the same apology as fire ants

scurrying to feed on another plant or seed.

Years passed quick cars on the edge of traffic

days mere parenthesis around the fact of her

body. Critics be damned, whatever 

she told them was renounced by her thighs, by

and why is it we always have to speak about

constant as those ants building a hill in his head

a suddening war of insects.

Buzzing, biting, burrowing, flesh is their unholy host

They hadn't met in years and yet he knew.