Donavon Davidson’s poems have appeared, or are soon to appear, in: The Salon, Spork, Softblow, Barnstorm, The Fiddleback, Prick of the Spindle, Oak Bend Review, Juked, Pirene’s Fountain, The Montucky Review, 3:AM, Anti-, Arch, Anemone Sidecar, Pedestal, Word Riot, MiPOesias, Stirring, Evergreen Review, Barnwood, and many others. He received his MFA from Goddard College and currently teaches writing at the Community College of Vermont.
In which the queen drinks from a poisoned cup
I know I confused beauty with the sound of my voice
I could never pronounce
all at once
I wanted to pretend I never lied to you
when I kept silent
I know I confused virtue with your naked body
I could never lay to rest
all over the place
I wanted to pretend I came
clean when push came to shove
I know I confused fear with the little girl in the mirror
I could never find hiding
all night long
I wanted to pretend I slept like a
baby when a breast was near
I know I confused love with a bottle of aspirin
I could never swallow
all in one piece
I wanted to pretend it takes time
to get away with murder
little by little, you’ll see
right before your very eyes
I’ll never make that mistake again