Valentines: “How to Court a Poet” by mónica teresa ortiz

How to Court a Poet

Tell me you want to burn it all down and mean it. States. Nations. Governments. Hierarchies. Police. Military. Borders. Lean over me and whisper into my chest. I thank your ancestors for your hips. Let me press my mouth to the flowers and mango on your skin. I am holding more than diasporas in my hands. Somehow, Venus emerges from an oyster and fits in my arms. It is the day after Assata died, and you salt away my tears. We watch Orfeu Negro chase Death away from Eurydice. I would follow you into the ocean or even to Rochester. You ask me to braid gardenias into your hair. I ask for more of your fierce lyrics. Write me poems. I desire—more words, on the page and surging from your lips. The moment you take my hands in yours, snaking your nails across the lines of my palms, you feed me. Let us go to the swamp. I want you to see there is nothing to be afraid of. If we meet our dead, we must show them we love them. We can shift between the veils together. You say you are too unsettled for me. I want you to unsettle me. Offer me your bones so I can kiss them. Let me walk next to you, welcoming seafoam and water with our footsteps. Draw a map of your lineages. I want to know the names of the people who birthed every version of you. Court me the way you would want to be courted. We are poets and romantics. Our lists are letters and mirrors. They are always long. Let me draw you a bath and read Frankenstein to you. Ask me how my day was. I will send you rain. Nourish me with your laughter. Howl for me. I listen for your voice every night. Essex said that every time we kiss, we make a new world. He said we need each other critically. Enter my dreams. Make love to me in the 5th dimension. Hand me the matches for every fire. Poets name the world, and I want you to name mine. Be tender. Awaken me. Take me home. Let us unworld this empire together.

About mónica teresa ortiz

mónica teresa ortiz is a poet and critic born, raised, and based in Texas. Their poetry collection, Book of Provocations, was published in 2024 (Host Publications) and their work has appeared in Scalawag, Protean, and Poetry Daily. They call for and commit to a liberated Palestine in our lifetime.