HOLD THAT TIGER
By Chloe Wilson
That morning, in the mirror,
I’d pulled my draping cheek-skin upwards.
I had shone, taut and foreign,
the gums and incisors
glistering with saliva.
While evening and the show crowds gathered,
I watched him. The chain glinked
as he traced his circle,
always stalking - even the grass
shivered under his breath.
Entering the ring, he beckoned
me to dance, laid one
paw on each shoulder
and rolled me in the dirt.
His mouth opened wide
as bedclothes, and I scented
the iron on his tongue
while he hinged his hips
and the crowd thought I was dying.
Tigers like to dine alone.
I knew this; yet stayed a moment
too long, waiting
for an invitation
and was not all that surprised
to find a joint of meat missing
from my thigh.
They hunt by pressing you
to their hearts, then
kicking out your insides
in a casual sweep.
There’s the danger.
Not, after all, in the teeth
but beneath the tail,
which, like a finger,
searches out any pleasures
the front end may have missed.
This one slid
his tongue along the contours
of my bowel,
sniffing like a sommeliier.
That night, he cleaned himself
thoroughly, that supple
tongue spreading like a stingray
under the nails
and detailing the groin;
ignoring the crowd
nobly, as they shook
the metal bars
that keep them safe.
‘Hold That Tiger’ is featured in The Mermaid Problem, Chloe Wilson’s first collection that has been published as part of the APC’s 2010 New Poets Series, more details here.
The APC runs a dynamic series of events to promote and develop the poetic art form. We focus on creating work that extends the art form and works with exceptional artists in all fields.
Be it graffiti, films, music, installation, sound, video, computer, print or theatre, we are committed to getting poetry into the streets. In 2010, the APC has a new team headed by Events Manager, Fiona Jordan, who has planned a variety of events and opportunities for poets throughout Australia.
2010 SERIES OF EVENTS
3 September: Poetic Monologues
In partnership with the Melbourne Writers Festival, the APC presents part of its poetic monologue series.
The APC and the State Library of Victoria will run this event during National Poetry Week, where students will read poetry out loud.
19 September - The Self behind the Mask Workshop with Katherine Gallagher
Using example poems, participants will look at different ways of approaching personal experience in writing exercises.
28 September: Poetry in Film Festival
PIFF is an exciting film festival based in Melbourne. Although the festival is Australia wide, we are accepting entrants from every state and territory.
6 and 7 October: Workshops for seniors
In conjunction with the Victorian Seniors Festival, the APC will be running poetry workshops for seniors.
8 October: Seniors Performance
Short performance by selected seniors from workshops that week.
5 November: What comes first? Performance night
When a song is created do the words or music come first? Well the APC now gives the writer no choice!
The Melbourne Poets Union (MPU) is dedicated to the development of the art of poetry and its promotion.
For further information about APC events near you, contact Fiona Jordan at the APC office on (03) 90947826 or email auspoetrycentre.events@gmail.com