Poetry by J.I. Kleinberg

Flickr CC


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Appetite


I am not the meat. Not the plate.
Not the condiment or garnish.

I am not the cake. Not the wine.
Not the amuse-bouche or the cheese.

I am not the menu or the napkin,
the candles or the fork, the side-slung 

curtains on their rail, the city lights 
inaudibly shimmering. I am not 

the first bite. Not the aromas.
Not the bread-swiped gravy. 

Not the licked finger or carton
of leftovers on the table. 

I want to be the meal, but I am 
able, only, to be the hunger.


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J.I. Kleinberg is an artist, poet, and freelance writer. Her poetry has appeared in December, Diagram, One, Otoliths, Pedestal, Psaltery & Lyre, and many other print and online journals worldwide. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, USA, and at chocolateisaverb.wordpress.com.