Self Portrait in Need of Owner

The dream is to find someone

who will appreciate every scar, mole, mark

that dots T’s and crosses

I’s on this vast body.

Because I love them all so much,

I want someone to feel the tiny curls directly sprung

from my scalp. They feel like something

woven by god,

and it’s not fair for me to have all this glory to myself.

I want them to lay their head in the dips of my body

because I think it’s funny how perfectly

I can create a pillow.

Why should inanimate objects only enjoy this resting place?

Idealistically, they will recognize that despite my ailments and deficiencies,

my curved qualities were molded by a cast of gold

and this saturated body does indeed match the spirit within it.

That is something I need help remembering.

 

Jolien Louis (she/her) is a theater artist and writer from New York City. Her work in theatrical design, performance, and directing has covered many different styles of theater, but poetry and film have always been her first loves. She currently is finishing up her senior year at The George Washington University in D.C., and will pursue work in the film industry. In the meantime, photography, writing scripts, and creating poetry fill up her time. Her art has made this period of isolation less dim than it could be. 

Follow Jolien on Instagram: @louis_jolien and @photo_jolo

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