edited by Sean Enfield
If you’ve been following us on social media, you’ve seen a lot about our recent excursion to Santa Fe to premiere our multi-genre, multi-media production #PLEASED. Instrumental to that production is today’s featured writer, Machele Johnson. A few years ago, Machele was brought into the web via Dark Moon’s Fatima-Ayan Malika Hirsi. And we’re so glad she did! In addition to being a badass poet, Machele is also a talented flutist and figure model. Machele’s many talents are on display in #PLEASED, and we’re excited to show you at tomorrow’s (July 11, 2018) Denton premiere.
Today, we’re bringing you Machele’s poem, “The Warning.” Machele says, “[The poem was] born from a dark journal entry that was focusing on my bruised heart and body pains,” and certainly, the rawness of that journal entry is still present, albeit shaped into some beautifully rendered verse. When asked what her advice to other writers would be, Machele advised simply to “always keep a journal/sketchbook filled with your thoughts.” We agree, and this poem is evidence that her advice is sound. Check it out below!
Lastly, Machele’s work with Spiderweb this summer doesn’t end with her collaborative performances. She’ll also be leading our August Happy Hour Workshop on August 18th. She’ll be instructing Spiderfriends on Figure Drawing, and you’ll certainly want to be there! You can attend for free (as well as all of our other shows and workshops) by supporting us on Patreon!
The Warning
The warning came with 4 minutes to spare,
4 minutes to care,
4 minutes to move.
Let this beat carry me to the threshold,
Carry my heart to the rhythm of time,
To the rhythm of you.
My back is a twisted vine full of the weight of salty memories.
A semi-sweet, short, delectable treat you can be.
A placebo of love, you are.
These legs are tired,
for they won't stop working hard getting me everywhere.
Transporting my aspirations and commitments to their destinations
I take these gams for granted.
I take this spine for granted.
Curved and tight,
No gratitude for unbiased support,
Only noticed when screaming.
All these sensations season the air with sharpness,
Season life with savory.
A tartness that grows to a hard stop and I'm struck short.
Stuck in my head sorting the information.
All these sensations leaves my heart thirsty,
A sun-dried snack for the brave.
It’s to be determined how nutritional it is,
But it’s good for passing time.
Machele Johnson | photo by Leah Jones
Machele Johnson is a Dallas based artist proficient in music, color, and words. She has shown her work with Dark Moon Poetry and Arts and The Spiderweb Salon. Her words focus on the dreamy complexities of sounds and being human in a brown feminine body. She has 3 handmade chapbooks available, "I'm Sorry, But it's Awfully Loud in Here", “Savory Regurgitations of the Heart”, and “Wear Black:Bleed Purple”. Her poetry has been featured in “Read Between The Lines” the June Spiderweb Salon Zine, “Brains of Paradise” on KUZU 92.9, as well as “Kill Line” an Anklebiters publication.
Want us to feature your work? Send us your favorites at our submissions page here.