Mel Sherrer (Colours of Love and Barriers)

Mel Sherrer

Mel Sherrer (She/Her) is a poet and performer. She received her B.F.A. from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, and her M.F.A. from Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Mel teaches and conducts Creative Writing and Performance Literature workshops. Her writing is featured in Storm Cellar, Variety Pack, Platform Review, SWWIM, Interim Poetics, Santa Fe Writers Project, The Racket Journal, Limp Wrist Magazine and others. Her poetry was nominated for the 2021 Pushcart Prize, and Best of the Net. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can find her work and more information at www.MelSherrer.com.

California Chicken Sandwich

My girlfriend and I 

visited a queer bar, soon

after moving to Las Vegas.

It was midday and quiet

as a tea parlor, just a little close quarter

conversation and something sneaking 

out of the jukebox, aglow with rainbow 

neon lights.

No one’s eyes shifted around 

like the doors might be kicked in

at any moment. 

I said, “Oh, we’re not in Texas anymore.”

The bartender did not say “Ladies” 

when they scooted us our drinks and food

only said, “Here you are.”

Yes

there we were.

What an ease there was about the room,

what a difference that little slice of avocado made. 

Understanding Queer Love

I am simple.

How I love is simple.

I think anyone can understand it this way:

I get up first and wonder

what I might feed her when she wakes;

I make coffee for her cup.

---

Colours of Love :: Setu, July 2022