Freud at the poetry reading (playing doctor): A duet

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Susan L Daniels

By Susan Daniels/Noel Ihebuzor

The overly-perceptive doctor
picks up what I throw down
so easily, transparency
of word, implied action, mistake

the client reclines on the couch
slowly unwinds, shedding layers in
progressive concealment, unknowing
speaking words and signs, opaque yet transparent

every move reveals more
like a dance of seven veils
or a more mundane strip-tease

moves that say more than words
words that conceal and reveal
wrapping moves, yet like an onion unwrapping
a petal unfurling shyly 

every move speaks the unspoken
sign language sublime, speaking the unspeakable
decodable, sublimable, every move a coded code

do I flirt with what is made more naked
or simply strip further with simile,
metaphor, and missed strokes

the concealing covering reveals more
teasing, unmasked disguise more stirring, icons
symbols, metonyms in deepening symphony,

on the keybard, with firm strokes
on the silky electric screen tablet, with soft touches

how much more naked
would Dr. Freud have me, onstage
with this glittering g-string

unpeelings reveal territories teasing
inviting, rounded deep core glimmering
fluttering binding the chair to the couch

because that
and these two pasties

the almost exposed core dangles
inviting

are all I have left
to lose

challenging doctor and client
to reach out and fully explore

***Oh, this was fun!  A little run through the consultation room, prompted and inspired by Freudian references in our comments on another poem earlier today.  As always, Noel is bold (fitting), and I am italicized.

Unknown's avatar

About Susan L Daniels

I am a firm believer that politics are personal, that faith is expressed through action, and that life is something that must be loved and lived authentically--or why bother with any of it?
This entry was posted in duet, Duets with Noel Ihebuzor, New Free Verse and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

18 Responses to Freud at the poetry reading (playing doctor): A duet

  2. Noel Ihebuzor's avatar Noel Ihebuzor says:
    June 12, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Reblogged this on visionvoiceandviews and commented:

    Freudian slips!

  3. Rhonda's avatar Rhonda says:
    June 12, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    Tender-eared readers….cover them now, this is your only warning! All covered? Good.

    I FUCKING LOVE THIS!!!!

    T R A N S F E R E N C E in the raw!

    BRILLIANT AND WITTY AND SEXY AND …. PASTIES? REALLY?

    FANTASTIC.

    Ok…uncover your ears. I’m done. For now. Until I can think of something else….I’ll be back!

    😉

  4. Noel Ihebuzor's avatar Noel Ihebuzor says:
    June 12, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    Took us less than 90 mins to think of, compose and upload! Co-creation and particles colliding and colluding!

  5. Kyle's avatar Kyle says:
    June 12, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    fantastic – i love it

  6. doncarroll's avatar doncarroll says:
    June 13, 2012 at 9:27 am

    dig this one. when i see freud, something is gonna be shaken and it it was:)

  7. thecavesofaltamira's avatar Jeremy Nathan Marks says:
    June 13, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    This is funny. . . you take Freud pretty seriously and you cast some aspersions too. . . which makes the voice sound like a patient. And that works. As another “child of Freud” I sometimes feel like shouting “out, damned spot!” even though I -think I- need to hear what he’s saying.

Comments are closed.