National Poetry Month: Aralee Strange

Aralee Strange

"Spelling It Out"

(Aralee Strange)

you enter through the start of something intuitive

it’s what stirs under every starry-eyed experience

lights with a breath you can’t help

the emerging narrative

you need some avid minds around

you need mass illusion and myth

time/space and detox

and in one miracle minute blinding light!

you can can write stuff

you maintain top safe speed momentum

you are all ova that mind reeling what if infusion

rising from uneasy dreams looking for your voice

the eye of unmitigated ramifications

step into the center

shall we dance?

in this corner in all black go-go coda

mouthing the words Out Loud

the one secret life you’ve been missing

boldly going where things are happening one more time

that far downtown

get a Ha-ha to survive the encounters with One Way

suffer all the turn-ons engaged in phony today

relax

be quiet

who teaches you?

teeth on the real

saying grace

all you can see is resistance to the loss blooms at night

the deep breath hands-on muse pool magic hour sayonara

the essence of near intrepid rescues from the crowd

prepare to cave

frame by frame

admit one rude thing

get fiercely unstrung

Trust Jesus

no crybabies

if you’re lucky

bada bing bada bomb

you go mmmmmm

could be happy now

Originally from Birmingham, ARALEE STRANGE is a performer, poet, and literary libertine who has entertained audiences in many scenes -- and created a few literary scenes of her own from New York City to Athens, Georgia. One appreciation of Strange's undeniable energy calls it "chiropractics for the soul" -- the lightning bolt on her cheek is emblematic of her creative electricity: ""The pagan version of one of those saints that are supposed to protect true believers." She is the author of dr. pain on main, a play commissioned/produced by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Etta Stone: A Film for Radio, which aired on National Public Radio. Strange also wrote, directed and edited This Train (2001) starring Soupy Sales. Her current project is Word of Mouth, a monthly poetry whirlygig held in Athens, Georgia, encouraging carpenters, academics, anarchists and the reticent to get up onstage, spill their drinks, and open a creative vein. (Photo by David Noah)