Christopher Manes

New Iberia, LA

I have been writing all my life but only recently have I begun writing poetry. My poetry has been published in "Beginnings", "Footsteps In The Sand", and "Into the Unknown." On completion of high school, I plan to attend the University of Southwestern Louisiana to get my Ph.D. in English and become a professor of English Literature. My ultimate goal is to become a full-time writer. Besides writing I enjoy music and am involved in several choirs.

A Letter To My Love

I know not who you are
and your introduction
I have never chanced
and your meeting
never placed
And yet I know you
As a brother and friend
comrade and lover;
I know your longings and desires
(As they are my very own)
I know you with all
your perfections and faults
(As I know my very self)
I know you not for
Who you are but what you are
And it is that bond
Among us as among all men
That I say "I love you"
And yearn with an aching
In my breasts
To say "I know you".

Untitled

I've a wrecked soul in my brain-
Confused and all alone-
And my heart a sunken ship
Since love no more the Captain owns
Me, my heart, and I-
Sailors to this sea-
And how the Moon's lost her glow
Drifting on this sea.

Untitled

I've lived inside myself
so long I can't get out
buried myself in a tomb
of dreams, forgotten how to
speak, forgotten how to shout
spinning in this labyrinth
so long I can't get out.

Siete

Seven seconds counting
Seven seconds on the clock
Until my true love passing
To work to school or to the park
Oh I just don't care
Seven seconds on the dot
He's there.

Untitled

To poetry lived, be it the breath I take and word I write
To poetry such that life learns and love aches
To poetry such my fancy makes