Creatures of Comfort
A sestina inspired by "smooth"
The barista’s expression remained blank,
“Have a wonderful morning” made no crack.
The prickliness of apathy is rough,
but the latte she made is warm and smooth,
even with chai spice it tastes creamy soft,
my lips linger over the cup’s rimmed edge.
*
An hour ago I tugged at my quilt’s edge
to pull it taught over the fleece blanket,
my fingertips admiring the softness,
bathing in the light pouring from a crack
between the curtains, all the creases smoothed
like still waters before storms churn them rough.
*
And yesterday, Caroline took my rough
and chipped nails in her hands, filing edges
until they were nicely rounded and smooth,
applying bold color to slates wiped blank
pools of maroon, pristine until they crack
but for now hard and strong, yet sleekly soft.
*
We’re drawn to them, aren’t we? Things that are soft.
Always sanding away what feels too rough,
dulling the sharp, and filling in the cracks,
avoiding abrasive and sharp edges.
Write words that soothe or just leave the page blank.
No wrinkles or tangles, please, only smooth.
*
Like last night when I was angry, but smoothed
my words so you would hear them, my voice soft.
You insist, “Give it to me straight, point-blank.”
But that’s not what you want, straight is too rough
and too sharp, so I tried to keep the edge
out of my tone, but under strain I cracked.
*
I’m not perfectly polished, I have cracks,
jagged pieces that are too sharp to smooth
spaces I don’t fit, and harsh line edges
that can’t be blurred. And the places I’m soft
can produce fire when they’re handled roughly.
My permanent record is far from blank.
*
And yours isn’t blank. We have matching cracks.
We’re a little rough, but your kiss is smooth,
some words hard, some soft, here on comfort’s edge.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
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Comments (6)
Just incase you miss it - the latest update and progress piece about the Anthology is live now - https://todaysurvey.shop/writers/vocal-poetry-anthology-progress-update-and-requests%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E thank you!
Lovely contrasts… will be great in Paul’s book ✅.
This definitely deserves more attention- saw it on Paul Stewart's list. Congratulations!
Och, this is the winner. This is going into the book - if you don't mind that decision. I remember how perfect this was and so sorry it never got the attention it deserved. You paint such a vivid picture of our attraction to smoothness and the last sections are a perfect illustration of the rough edges we bring to relationships and how we can soften them. Anyway, I'll stop gabbing on. Love this as much as I did 4 months ago and will be putting this in the list of piees for the book! Thanks, DK!
Oh I loved this. Looked up a sestina again cos I couldn't remember what it was lol. I loved how you played around with the same words in each, I know that's part of the form.... but as examples of smooth and the to and fro of a relationship...it was incredibly effective. I don't really have proper feedback on this...I think it's great. The only thing I'd say is the line that starts with "An other's" I think an other would work just as well, maybe even better as another? That's the smallest of things. I am not a teacher though, lol. So I feel particularly weary of trying to offer critique lol. Sorry. But, seriously, I'm gutted this didn't get as many reads! I am planning on doing a piece that will highlight one by each person who offered self-advocated pieces and I am thinking of showcasing this one. Would you have objections to that? Or would you prefer I do it for another of the three? Sorry about taking so long to get to this and thank you for sharing it as part of my challenge thing!
I love how you compiled so many instances of smooth here! Beautiful poem!