Useless Phrases

Lying in the tall grass, 
let me remember the reasons I love you

so shall rain become interesting again,
personal mementos and smeared script

the self’s dissemination of itself 
in touch, in secrets which I didn’t tell you

and to devour my memories, to disguise my intentions
love cannot be lost in its many forms of existence

only pushed aside 
I took you to my bedroom, lying

about my escapades and the men I didn’t desire
tried to demonstrate my intentions 
but felt too guilty to hold you

and if desire is not predation,
if I can love you for small and simple reasons
chestnut curls and mascara smudges under your eyes
the shameful urges imprisoned in my hands
it’s too beautiful to remember, it’s too beautiful to name

Annelie Hyattis a rising senior at The Beacon School in New York. Her writing has been recognized by the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. She is a future Dramatic Writer at the New York University Tisch School of Arts and is studying foreign journalism at The School of the New York Times this summer. In her spare time, she can be found reading Adrienne Rich and finding new restaurants to try.