FEATURED WORKS FROM OUR 2024 LISTEN ANTHOLOGY

Cover of the 2024 OOTA Anthology

Obsolete

Blackboard, film rolls, correction fluid

lickable stamps and typewriters

nuns, traditional names, singles bars –

my list of obsolete things grows.

 

Halfway into the chemotherapy, halfway

from knowing what’s good for me.

 

Under a rising blood-moon you point out

a diamond stud hole in a tuart canopy,

 

give me a gold, heart-shaped leaf,

call me your silver-moon woman.

 

Like a hot day you follow me.

My tongue traces the shape of you.

 

On chemo day, the wind cuts my bold head.

Nauseous and constipated I listen to you

backing off. The voice message, pathetic,

apologetic. To my list, I add compassion.

 

Tineke Van der Eecken