Poetry By Angie Blake-Moore

Clinton Steeds CC



Freedom
​

I heard on a podcast yesterday

that when Laurie Anderson’s dog Lolabelle died,

she was surprised that her primary emotion was not sadness

but “almost unbearable happiness… 

as if something exploded” inside of her

and the word she kept repeating was “freedom.”

I want to be more like Laurie.

I want to let the loss of you roll around 

inside my body like the ringing 

of the Liberty Bell before it cracked 

and fell dumb. I want to set off fireworks 

without care, lose a finger 

in your honor or maybe even an eye. 

I’ll wear a patch to show how much it sucks 

that you aren’t here,

how joyful it was to be-- 

briefly-- yours.

​


​Angie Blake-Moore has been a teacher of 3- and 4-year-olds for over 30 years. She’s had work published in Green Mountains Review, like a field, Gnashing Teeth, Thimble, and ONE ART among others. She has 2 grown children and lives with her husband and 3 cats. Find her on Instagram at abmpoet.