Rosemary Royston
BRIEF ENCOUNTER ON STAIRWELL
A sliver of gold, a straw-like filament
except curved, malleable—
a strand of hair clinging
in the delicious dip
between waist and hip.
How politely he asked,
just inches behind her, if he could
please remove it, his fingertips
diving into the atmosphere
of her space, the sound barrier
breaking in complete and static
silence.
Author’s Comment: It’s one thing to delve into the physical space of someone you know well. It’s another when it is not someone you know, and a certain tension exists. This poem seeks to capture that tension and how some emotions are profoundly felt, yet are never articulated.
Bio: Rosemary Royston’s chapbook Splitting the Soil will be published in late 2011/early 2012. She holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University. Rosemary’s poetry has been published in The Comstock Review, Main Street Rag, Alehouse, Literal Latte, Public Republic, and Dark Sky Magazine. Her essays on writing poetry are forthcoming in Women and Poetry: Tips on Writing, Teaching and Publishing by Successful Women Poets, McFarland. She was the recipient of the 2010 Literal Latte Food Verse Award. She currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the North Carolina Writers Network-West. http://theluxuryoftrees.wordpress.com/
Wild Goose Poetry Review 
This is my pick of the two in WG. I like the well-placed line break and then “in the delicious dip /
between waist and hip” and the sound barrier / breaking in complete and static / silence.” Nice word play and sensuality.
thank you, Helen!
Rosemary, Original. Some just have to touch. Others must keep their safe space. You nailed it.
Rosemary, You have captured the tension so well. This is a unique and lovely poem! I’ve always liked your work very much from the first time I heard you read. Have a happy summer! Glenda Barrett
“the sound barrier breaking in complete and static
silence” is powerful poetry.