I Used to Kick My Legs by Melanie Browne
I used to kick my legs
exactly like Esther Williams
I waved at the camera
underwater
and had secret longings
under my swimsuit
I used to kick my legs
like Esther Williams
I was willful and
full of vigor
I had wild nights
in Havana
with men
who tried
to keep me
locked up
in dark acrid
rooms with
smoke and
heavy drapes
These days I
mostly keep
to myself,
keep my swimwear
hanging
in my closet
protected in
plastic,
my days
spent
watching
people buy fruit
at the markets,
or stealing kisses
under the awnings
exactly like Esther Williams
I waved at the camera
underwater
and had secret longings
under my swimsuit
I used to kick my legs
like Esther Williams
I was willful and
full of vigor
I had wild nights
in Havana
with men
who tried
to keep me
locked up
in dark acrid
rooms with
smoke and
heavy drapes
These days I
mostly keep
to myself,
keep my swimwear
hanging
in my closet
protected in
plastic,
my days
spent
watching
people buy fruit
at the markets,
or stealing kisses
under the awnings
Melanie Browne's poetry has been published in various places including Houston Literary Review, Word Riot, Pank Online, and The Commonline Project. She is a co-editor of Leaf Garden Press. She is a native Texan but would love to visit Havana, Cuba one day.