Susan Daniels Poetry

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.