The Poem

Often, when I read through Sue’s poems I wish she were around to tell the story behind the poem. The story I imagined was quite funny and I can almost hear Sue laughing. It was probably about a gathering of First Nations people because she used the word moccasin. I’ll bet there was a real character Sue observed somewhere that inspired Sex Games at Moccasin Square Gardens.

 

The Picture

In the past few posts I’ve been experimenting with acrylic paint, but this time I went back to my comfort zone with ink and watercolours. This poem made me think of an old drawing from art school. In the new version the people are portrayed as young and innocent, but someone is contemplating ideas that are not innocent at all. The graphic pattern is derived from Blackfoot teepee designs and of course, the couple is wearing moccasins.

Art School drawing of people on the street       By: Sylvia Arthur

 

Sex Games at Moccasin Square Gardens

He slips down close to the knee

treads lightly up,

up

waiting for a successful landing

apprehension, frustration,

eagerness

try it once,

go on

 

Slapped silly like a

fuller brush man calling at 5:00 a.m.

no sale.

No score.

 

Shakey,

but persistent

maybe successful if

persistent

sometimes persistence pays off

feelin’ lucky

Lucky is good.

 

Ever so,

gently, quietly,

steady, steady,

up,      up

determined to

try it again

 

Just gotta

do this one    thing

then I can rest,

Then I’ll know

closer,                        just about…

there.

By: Sue Michaud

 

“Moccasin Square Gardens”   By: Sylvia Arthur