Cut At The Stem by Jennifer Lagier

Anita Berber, 1899-1928

The party is over.
I am dying
of tuberculosis,
alcoholism, addictions.
I don’t believe them,
gather syringes
like religious icons.
I am still the darling
of outlaws, thrive
on breaking taboos,
creating drama.
At 14, discarded virginity,
seduced mother’s lover.
Graduated to morphine,
public sex with
men and women
as art form.
Defiantly performed
unclothed on tables.
Aroused audiences
by flaunting my body.
On stage or off,
I loved to shock.
Appeared in nightclubs
wearing only
a sable wrap,
live monkey,
silver brooch
packed with cocaine.
Reveled in ignoring
all moral boundaries.
Failed body, full life, no regrets.
Fuck the pauper’s grave.
I want to die planning
a trip to Italy,
one more adventure.

Jennifer Lagier has published nine books of poetry as well as in a variety of literary magazines. Her latest book, Camille Vérité, was published by FutureCycle Press. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, maintains web sites for Homestead Review, Monterey Poetry Review, Ping Pong Literary Journal and misfitmagazine. She also helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings.