Poetry by Shanice Wamae

      Rich Carstensen CC




The last supper 

My watch reads seven thirty
I tell my timer to count down 
the minutes like the last 
sand-grains of a vial.

I scan the wine for subtle notes
commit it to memory 
green grass, grapefruit, 
dusted peach
I can’t tell the difference 
but persuade myself
that bottle is something
cerebral minds would pick.

Dresscode: just a drop of cleavage 
I yank the tag off a square neck tee
until cotton fluff starts to snow 
now you’ve done it 
I hoover up the evidence 

almost forget to dust off the dial 
on the turntable 
slip the skins 
off a silky jazz record 

maroon candles on the mantle 
dog eared magazines 
angled thirty five degrees. My pinky 
probes the pan
ignores the boil 
that leaves a mark 
turn the gas off, bubbles halt
pasta poised and plated
a look that screams sophisticated.

The door knock rattles 
I clasp your coat -
hook the loop with my thumb 
sideways kiss you 
dodge the honey liquor 
that tips over your lips
and scrub stubble stains 
off my cheek.

You gift me a half smile 
it’s heavenly 
to be in your good graces.

The topic turns to trading 
stocks, SpaceX, stoicism 
et cetera.
I’d be cruel to ruin your 
courage rants 

you slur: sweetie
anything worth caring about 
occurs outside these 
four walls 
finger waving as if it was 
something novel.

I barely touch my handiwork
far too busy breathless 
to keep this showboat afloat
deep breath
this one, I’ve refined 
lash bats and oh wows 
nods of encouragement 
with a side of doe eyes.

I try to sneak a piece
cut off by the punchline 
of your favourite one-liner 
silent belly barks 
I want to lick the plate clean
but let it chill
and watch you eat the leftovers

because you tell me
my fork technique is faulty 
you're supposed to twirl, see?

I grip the wine glass wrong too
these are all pieces to pick up
a young girl your age 
must learn these things

it would take time 
but if I’m lucky
you could make time
to teach me
how things are meant to be.



​
Shanice is an emerging writer of dual heritage based in England. She works as a UX Researcher and holds a Master’s degree in Psychology. In her free time, she is drawn to writing, taking inspiration from both the outer world and the inner landscape of human experience.