Em Beckert
Sappho and Joni in the Same Situation

(Sappho’s Fragment 1 using the lyrics to “Same Situation” by Joni Mitchell)
        

Higher Lord of the Imperfection,
mother of Church, who rings telephones, I want you
don’t search for release
                 Women, my prayer 

I need your approval, if when
you caught my call sent up 
                      and heard it, 
and checked out of your girl’s lovely room, 
                    and released,

tethering your millions. And sincere astronauts brought you, 
worthy women of higher positions 
ringing their heaven 
                  full of mirrors—

they’re checking out. Now you, truthful you, 
lovely in your weapon gaze
asked what (now again) I struggled and why 
                 (now again) I call out 

and what I want and clamor for 
in my death row love. Who’s lonely can I cease 
to search for her lost sex appeal? Who, 
                   pretty girl, is real? 

Sappho and Lou Both Laughed In Pleasure 
(Sappho’s Fragment 1 using pg. 270 of We Both Laughed in Pleasure:
The Collected Diaries of Lou Sullivan 1961-1991)


Sweet brat boy of the SERPENT IN THINE HAIR 
Kooka’s, who fuckin let me kiss him, I keep you
ending the certain shame 
Oh, T, you really did turn my head. 

But walk right in if you can just tell, 
or read the poem+liked it, 
and scooted, 

always wearing the same shirt. And a big group of people,
shower of scruples, robed and bare
flashing the corridor proudly, 
bumped thru the apt, 

bellyward on the bed. But THOU, fresh one, 
who could use a shampooing, 
asked what (now again) she was jealous about and why 
(now again) I ring the doorbell 

and the shot I have given myself 
in my bare moments. What insatiable flirt 
has ended your evenings? Who, O 
Lou, is trying to get you stoned? 



Em Beckert (they/them) is a poet and dancer from Chicago IL, currently based in Seattle, WA. They hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. Their work can be found in pitymilk press, Voicemail Poems, and elsewhere soon.