“Inheritance Cistern Sweet Dominion,” by Gabrielle Calvocoressi

Faculty member Gabrielle Calvocoressi‘s poem “Inheritance Cistern Sweet Dominion” was recently featured on poets.org. Read an excerpt below:

Inheritance Cistern Sweet Dominion

They had their lightning thrones they had
their cages. They had their lamb pens and lamb
ties not just for lambs but for their own. As soon
as I understood the name of my skin sack
I was handed the chain. Was told by virtue
of my snow-lit skin I was Courtier
of the Chain. And I could be Lord Chancellor
if I played my cards right. Dominion. We worked
the word over and over. We practiced with butterscotch
and Jolly Ranchers in the gold Honda. In the mile-long
yellow chariot that ferried us to the Coliseum.
So sweet. No need to bite down for the whole world
to hear you. No need to work your jaws
like an animal. To make yourself into an animal…

Find the rest of this poem (and hear Gabrielle read it) here: https://poets.org/poem/inheritance-cistern-sweet-dominion