LOOKING GLASS THIRD PLACE: “Elsa’s Staircase” by Jen Karetnick

Inspired by: “Muse” by Jeremy Penn

ELSA’S STAIRCASE by Jen Karetnick

 

Some muses will appreciate the gestures

of a man who details coldest marble

into increments so gradual and sure

a skirt should never cause one to tumble

 

when descending to toast the Nobels

(even without gripping the banister)

into the Blue Hall, where I end each trial.

Some muses will appreciate the gestures—

 

the considering nod, that frown of censure—

happy to knot up calves and blister heels

in the service of the architecture

of a man who details coldest marble

 

like just another subservient tool.

For seven days that the gods can measure,

my toes worship steps like a bible

into increments so gradual and sure.

 

But I was not born to be this humble.

Recall the staircase after my labor.

A skirt should never cause one to tumble,

yet some muses will.


Judge Stephen Gibson’s comments: “This is a skilled piece that is artfully crafted in quatrains that use full and slant rhymes and quite effective refrains. Nicely accomplished piece.”


Jen Karetnick is the author of three full-length poetry collections, including The Treasures That Prevail (Whitepoint Press, September 2016), finalist for the 2017 Poetry Society of Virginia Book Prize, and four poetry chapbooks. Her work has appeared recently in Amuse-Bouche/Lunch Ticket, Crab Orchard Review, Cutthroat, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Missouri Review, Painted Bride Quarterly, Prairie Schooner, Spillway, Valparaiso Poetry Review, Verse Daily and Waxwing. She is co-editor of the daily online literary journal, SWWIM Every Day (@SWWIMmiami). See more at jkaretnick.com (@Kavetchnik, @JenKaretnick).