Hello friends, Christa here. I've never met anyone who loves poetry more or more wonderfully draws

into a leaf what poetry works in us. Why it is such an important way with words for humanity

at all times and especially for this tender time we inhabit. It's been such a pleasure to offer

the gift of Padrex labor of love to you. I would be, we would be, so grateful if you'd consider

becoming a patron of poetry unbound. If you like me love poetry unbound please learn more

and make a gift at on being.org slash love us.

My name is Podregotouma and years ago I was doing a poetry reading at a friend's Lutheran church

and afterwards you know I'd had gone well and this guy comes up to me and he says well my god

if I'd known that you were going to be a church out of become a Lutheran a long time ago.

And I was about 40 and he was close to 80s if not in his 80s and there was something about his

ease, his engagement, his enjoyment of the language and his play too with being a Lutheran and the

possibilities of the various reasons to become one. And I was kind of amazed at how audacious and

delicious and delightful he was when he flirted with me and I thought I think I need to engage

with language a little bit more like you rather than overthinking everything like I tend to do.

Replay by Selina Nul. When a woman flirts with you at a party you think how flattering as you try

to fish the gaze of a man who will not learn your name. Later you will replay the night like a tape

in your mind's eye. Play how she stroked your cheek, pause, rewind. The way her eyes tripped over

your mouth, play. Why did opening my lips feel like breaking bread, stop. Fast forward. Later still

you will notice how the wind wins a fight with a friend's headband and makes theater out of her hair

each strand beckoning applause or the sprinkle of freckles in a bartender's face.

Wonder how many constellations you could trace with the tip of your finger as she smiles and adds

an extra wink of gin to tonic. Afterwards the contours of her dress, the plunge at its back had

...