loki as a marę
to take this shape, imagine kneeling down
inside of yourself, forearms braced against
muddy stable floor, neck craning roofward,
straw on skin as a down of matted hair.
now offer up your pale moon of an arse
once again — you cum drenched bastard, you spare
among heirs, you piggy thing perched on elbows,
servant-king of masochism. all this
for the crumbs at the banquet of asgard,
the bin-end of affection moldering
in odin’s waterless blind-eye. he dreams
you splayed in supplication, prey’s fearful
flicker writ across your face — allfather,
please — breeds you like a bitch for a new horse.
dionysus at the tomb of prosymnus
or, blackout drunk, bacchus invents the dildo
this is the trouble with you mortals —
i blink and i miss you.
i admit, i dawdled,
took the scenic route,
but i will not make a liar of myself.
so i carve this figwood phallus,
a new creation,
all for you darling
and your simple desire.
let me fulfil it like this.
i rise again
just as you descend.
go deeper sweetest one,
let me guide you to elysium.
here i am, love, as i promised.
here is the wound you have put in me.
here is your name on the lips
of the god of wine. let me kiss this stone.
this is the trouble with you mortals —
you want what you want and are gone.
Jonathan Kinsman (he/him) is a trans poet living in York. His poetry has appeared in many anthologies and journals, including Bad Lilies, Butcher’s Dog, Fourteen Poems, Poetry Wales and Under The Radar. His latest pamphlet Genderfux, co-written with Jem Henderson and JP Seabright, is available now from Nine Pens. His full collection debut will be published by Broken Sleep Books at the end of July.
