Show & Tell by Shahé Mankerian | One Poem Only

One Poem Only is a daily ritual: one poem, center stage, just for now.Show & TellShahé MankerianThis poem was first published in Contemporary Verse 2, Summer 2024 (Vol. 47, No. 1)To Lucille CliftonJosé lifted a rabbit from a corroded cageand said, “This is Jesús. We found himsleeping among the dead daffodils.”Elizabeth asked us to cover our ears“Because Beethoven was deaf,” she saidas “Ode to Joy” squeaked on her violin.I clapped the loudest because on the firstday of school Liz braided my shoelaceswith hers. Mrs. Honzay poked my forearmwith a pen, “Settle down,” she whispered.Sweaty Mika wore his father’s space suit.Selma uttered from her wobbly desk,“He even smells like an alien.” When I stoodin front of the blackboard, nauseous,with nothing fancy to share, I raisedmy trembling hands shoulder high.“I was born with twelve fingers,” I said,“and I have the scars to prove it.”More from Shahé Mankerian ↓@shahemankerian on InstagramHis book: History of Forgetfulness published by the Fly on the Wall PressSupport + Stay Connected to OPOIf you’d like to support the show, Substack and Patreon members receive a copy of my book, For My Daughter, along with episodes from the audiobook.Poetry shows us what we need. Thank you for being part of the experience.