Behind the Camera

from Speaking of Love by Ami Mattison

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lyrics

Behind the Camera

I.

She is a hard, round lens. And I,
fair and feminine, wear a fake,
cerulean flower behind a hidden ear.

We’re near to one another, often
mistaken for the other. But I gaze,
she aims and shoots.

Light travels in straight lines.
But cast upon our delicate fingers
intertwined, light becomes fine,

untouchable lace, binding
our shadows outside
the still-frame.

II.

Behind the camera, she likes to think
she’s in control, wants to capture
me in just the right pose.

Make love to the light, she says.

And I do. I love it as I love
her, how it illuminates the curve
of her neck where I lay my head,

breathing her into me until
her heartbeat quickens, and she
greets my parted lips.

She relinquishes her camera,
lets me kiss her palms. My gaze
plays an afternoon light across

her still-life body. I touch her smooth
belly, and she becomes moving
image. Desire blurs us.

III.

Let me show you something.
I draw her in front of the mirror
and stand behind: Do you see?

Her eyes brighten like dawn
from a cloudy night. Now watch,
and I gaze into her eyes.

Yes, she says. Yes, and she raises
the camera. I part my lips the way
she likes. Illumined, she focuses

her vision upon my face, captures
me once more while I make love
to the light: my lover, my beloved.

credits

from Speaking of Love, released February 10, 2017
Written and performed by Ami Mattison

license

some rights reserved

about

Ami Mattison Nashville, Tennessee

“A spoken word force to be reckoned with” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Ami Mattison is “a powerhouse poet...sexy, funny, funky, and yet substantive." (TheTennessean).

Touring since 2002, Mattison has performed at various art venues, festivals, conferences, colleges, and universities throughout the US and Canada. ... more