Performed by Val Cole

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Once, or Maybe Twice is about the longing for an absent person who cannot be forgotten. The idea that the person is thought of periodically is tongue in cheek for thinking about them constantly. Most of the imagery is set to emphasize the spiritual connection shared through sex, lust, distance, and emotional closeness.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Lots of people put so much of an emphasis on sex as a release or some kind of validation. Sometimes it is but its always been something sacred to me in the sense of giving and receiving vulnerability and naked closeness. The things that a lot of people are afraid of or the bodies they’re ashamed of. Finding beauty in the shared time of intimacy and trust is like magic. Hard to forget. I’m always grateful for every encounter I’ve been privileged to experience. There’s a lot more to it than that. When the casual fun becomes
love or celestial abandon.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

All my life. Even when I was little I’d scribble out words I thought were funny or I’d make up silly little songs.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Lou Reed

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I don’t perform my poetry in public. The opportunity made me curious to see how it would sound out loud. I’m also a fan of Val Cole, so it wasn’t a hard sell. She read the piece beautifully and she even got my name right

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I’ve self-published a few books of poetry and stories, as well as one novel in 2024. You can find them all on the Barnes & Noble website if you search my name.

I’m also an active musician in the New England area, writing songs and performing in bars or concerts. It’s fun.

7) What is your passion in life?

To live with more kindness than fear. Eat every donut.

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POEM:

Once, or maybe twice
When I remembered how
You started fire
Howling in that midnight way
We read about in books
And calm within the kindness
Pressed and turned to roll
In recompense
The clemency sought out
Would never burn you from within
But lie awake and wonder
Once, or maybe twice
When I remembered how
Your hands caressed
The long and the invisible
While reaching out for God
Or something close enough
To break your heart and leave
You weeping out from joy
In heated beds of doubt beguiled
All misplaced, regained, removed
And locked up safely somewhere
Once, or maybe twice