six synonyms, anna wolff

Hey -- this is a great poem that just came to mind and I wanted to share it with folks.  I had the privilege of hearing it for the first time as it was read by the author at a poetry reading not too long ago.  Anna Wolff, you are good with the words.

SIX SYNONYMS 
1. Wish
 


    (noun, a desire felt or expressed)
I keep them in boxes; they fill my closet.
It’s like the Library of Congress in there.
Someday they will break ranks and take
            over the whole house.

2.      Hankering
    (noun, a continual nagging desire)
In the pit
            of my stomach
a spring slowly coils itself tighter.
I can feel it
humming
            when I walk
                              humming
when I lay still.
It is waiting      
                        to snap.

3.      Longing
(noun, an intense desire for what is not immediately attainable)
It’s been over ten years
            since anyone
                     picked me up
            and carried me
                     anywhere, except
to bed.

4.      Covet
(verb, to desire to possess something belonging to another person)
·        My sister’s big boobs.
·        My dad’s Ph.D.
·        Health insurance.
·        Revelation
·        The earrings she was wearing
yesterday; she wouldn’t tell
me where she got them.

5.      Crave
(verb, to desire strongly, urgently, and persistently)
            There is a hole in my belly—
                                                everything falls through it.
                        I can’t find anything
                                                            to fill the breach.

6.      Desire
(noun, see above)
Sometimes it is this simple:

when I see you, I want to touch you.