A Comforting Hum

The Poet & The Poem

Samantha Frank is a recent graduate of Principia College with a B.A. in English. She's from Massachusetts, Texas, and Illinois. She writes mainly short fiction, often with an emphasis on the aromantic asexual perspective.

I (can’t) Imagine

Standing in the subway car,
many hands
close to touching,
sharp scents in conflict,
red lips, cat eye, blue box braids,
a balanced stranger reading;

Crossing the dance floor,
speakers pulsing pop,
wearing sweat all formal-like,
bodies swaying,
jumping uncoordinated,
laughter bright;

Cramming into the van’s backseat,
knees touching, shoulders jostled,
heads bobbing to the beat,
someone somehow fast asleep,
going somewhere far,
body heat, and legs sticking to the seat;

Leaning forward in the bleachers,
cold metal under thighs,
a back against my knees,
friends on either side,
crowded, chanting, cheering: pleased;

Dancing near the stage,
recklessly screaming
lyrics we all know,
a comforting hum, an infatuated reverb,
hands in the air,
and bracelets that glow;

Spending time with friends,
arms around shoulders,
side by side under the night sky,
hand in hand, talking
nothing and everything,
hugs hello and goodbye.