Skip to content

Today's Hours:
The library is open today from 9am - 9pm

Day 29: GPOY as Rainbowfrog.gif by Aerik Francis

Queer Poem-a-Day is a program from the Adult Services Department at the Library and may include adult language. 

GPOY As Rainbowfrog.gif

by Aerik Francis

pixelated recognition–

………….the image clicks
………….………….into place – my uncanny
………….reflection as a frog, awaiting.

will iEver be a person [again]?

………….must iAlways only be neck-up?
………….………….am iHead, stoic, or am iNeck
………….eternally on a swivel?

………….………….will iBe made to leap?
………….………….………….will my touch dilate eyes
………….………….like a hallucinogenic rush?

………….am iOnly strobing rainbow?
………….………….am iSmiling? does it matter
………….amidst this prismatic outburst?

in the scheme of things iAm merely meme
………….………….degrees separate from the me
………….-me that begat the meme.

………….………….fast flashes seen from the side
………….………….………….of your eye – maybe
………….………….iAm just speedy

………….periphery, undwindling
………….………….pigment – is this why
………….you always ask my colors?

& if iDo tell you –
………….again – am iDoomed
………….………….………….to repeat?


Copyright © 2021 by Aerik Francis. This poem first appeared in HAD.


About the Author

Author headshotAerik Francis is a Queer Black & Latinx poet based in Denver, Colorado, USA. Aerik is the author of the recently published chapbook BODYELECTRONIC(Trouble Department 2022). Selected by Dorothy Chan as the winner of the 2022 chapbook contest, Aerik’s second chapbook MISEDUCATION is forthcoming from New Delta Review in 2023. Aerik is the recipient of poetry fellowships from Canto Mundo and The Watering Hole, as well as a poetry reader for Underblong poetry journal and an event coordinator for Slam Nuba. Aerik’s work can be found on their website phaentompoet.com

 

Queer Poem a Day graphic

Queer Poem a Day


Queer Poem-a-Day is directed by poet and teacher Lisa Hiton and Dylan Zavagno, Adult Services Coordinator at the Deerfield Public Library. Music for this second year of our series is the first movement, Schéhérazade, from Masques, Op. 34, by Karol Szymanowski, performed by pianist Daniel Baer. Queer Poem-a-Day is supported by generous donations from the Friends of the Deerfield Public Library and the Deerfield Fine Arts Commission.

Deerfield Public Library

Install Deerfield Public Library

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”

Accessibility Toolbar