Playing Time in Tongues

By Vita Lerman

"With this rich first collection of prose poetry, Vita Lerman's contemplations on time, memory, creative process, and transformation crystalize a reality where the personal is mythical, death is a paramour, and longing is elementally human. In spare, kaleidoscopic fragments, she channels chant and mysticism, form and breath, to embody landscape,

• Language: English
• Publisher: Querencia Press, LLC
• Release date: Mar 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798330258406

Vita Lerman

Vita Lerman is a poet and visual artist living in Chicago. Her writing has appeared in literary journals,including Verum Literary Press and Nine Cloud Journal, and her paintings have exhibited across thecountry. Playing Time in Tongues, published by Querencia Press, is her first book of poetry.

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Playing Time in Tongues

Vita Lerman

Open book with stars and moon floating above in clouds and the word QUERENCIA below the book

QUERENCIA PRESS

© Copyright 2023

Vita Lerman

All Rights Reserved

No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission.

No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with the written permission of the author.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

ISBN 978 1 959118 28 2

www.querenciapress.com

First Published in 2023

Querencia Press, LLC

Chicago IL

Printed & Bound in the United States of America

To my amazing parents, Raya and Zev Lerman, will all my love

CONTENTS

PLAYING TIME IN TONGUES

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

SENTIENT BEINGS

THE SPIRITS SPEAK

TALES OF FIRE AND WATER

THE TREE FEELING OF LIFE

RIPPLES OF MEMORY

EXPANDING

THE NOW

THE STORY

OF IDDU

CRADLING THE FUTURE

THE SHIFTING SANDS

SNAKE GODDESS

THE GOLDEN HOUR

THE SIREN

MAKING SENSE

CICADAS

HIS WORDS

SHAPESHIFTERS

AN ENCOUNTER

Notes on Previous Publication

PLAYING TIME IN TONGUES

PART 1

(18)

She opens her eyes. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She was so sure.

She vividly remembers swallowing all those pills, one by one. All 90. Her tongue going numb, throat closing. In her dorm room, 11:30 pm. The Cure, her soundtrack. Mind over body. Her will was something fierce.

So why? Why is she still here, with these bright lights and tubes holding her down?

It was I. I sent her back, to my chagrin. She was so fresh, so earnest, so ready to give herself to me completely. Yes, I flirted a bit, even though I knew she was off limits, underaged. But even I didn’t believe she would really do it. So much desire, for me. It was seductive. Until she was there and waiting. At the threshold. I couldn’t accept her, despite all my wanting. She needs more time, that I knew blindly. And I am no-time, no-place, no-thing. One day she will forgive me. I hope.

She feels mildly patronized. So much for the freedom of will. She did not plan for failure. And now? She can’t do it again, she decides. She must find out why she needs to be here, in this world, in this life. At least for some time. She gives herself an extension. Thirty-five is a good age to go. It will