Ballantine Books, June 1999
Buy This Book
For an autographed copy of any of Lesléa’s books, please send an email directly to her at [email protected]
A beautiful new paperback edition of this classic poetry collection. Three hundred pages of gorgeous love poems by Dorothy Allison, Becky Birtha, Chrystos, Jewelle Gomez, Judy Grahn, Audre Lorde, Cherie Moraga, Pat Parker, Minnie Bruce Pratt, Kate Rushin, Linda Smukler, Kitty Tsui, Terry Wolverton, Shay Youngblood and many others. The perfect gift for your lover… or for yourself.
Reviews
“A terrific collection of poetry praising all that it means to be lesbian.”
“Newman’s eye for quality is exquisite; her selections, which I am happy to say include three of her own poems, delight the heart, the mind, the very soul.”
“Simply the best. Beautiful to look at, to read to give, to get.”
Excerpts
Night On The Town
When I step into my red silk panties and swivel into
the matching strapless bra my butch bought me for Valentine’s Day
When I slide on my black mesh stockings with toes pointed,
sitting on the edge of the bed like some Hollywood movie queen
When I shimmy into my spandex dress that sparkles and turns
over the tops of my thighs like a disco ball over a snappy crowd
When I puff on my pink clouds of blush, brush my eyelashes
long and lush, smear my lips and nails richer than ruby red
When I step into my sky high heels, snap on some shiny earrings
and slip seventeen silver bracelets halfway up my arm
When I dab my shoulders and neck, earlobes and wrists,
cleavage and thighs with thick, musky perfume
When I curl my hair into ringlets that dip over one eye
and bounce off my shoulder like a Clairol girl gone wild
When I turn from the mirror, pick up my purse
and announce to my butch that I’m ready to go
When I see her kick the door shut, hear her
declare, “We’re not going anywhere, tonight”
When I whine and say, “But we never go out,”
following her back to the bedroom, my lips in a pout
When I give in and let her have her way
with me pretending that wasn’t my plan all along
©1996 Lesléa Newman