The Birth of Venus by Georgia Ann Banks-Martin
When does sex become dirty?
After the orgy when you see pictures of your mother
holding you in your white lace gown
at the altar rail, bishop dabbing your forehead,
declaring you a child of Christ baptized,
buried, risen with him.
Does it happen when you notice a woman,
admit you want to lick her labia,
cup her upright tits, suck her nipples,
knowing you are a woman too?
After the orgy when you see pictures of your mother
holding you in your white lace gown
at the altar rail, bishop dabbing your forehead,
declaring you a child of Christ baptized,
buried, risen with him.
Does it happen when you notice a woman,
admit you want to lick her labia,
cup her upright tits, suck her nipples,
knowing you are a woman too?
Georgia Ann Banks-Martin was born in Lincoln Park, MI and currently lives in Montgomery, AL. Her work appears or is forthcoming in literary magazines such as: Ariel, Fiera Lingue, Möbius: The Poetry Journal, Prick of the Spindle, Thanal Online, African-American Review, Pearl, and Xavier Review.
