Lisa “Rubi G.” Ventura
Lisa “Rubi G.” Ventura (she/her) is a poet, essayist, performer, and author of ¿Con qué papel me envuelves la luna? Her work has been published and showcased by numerous literary platforms and arts organizations. Lisa’s a VONA 2022 alumni and a 2024 mentee for the Latinx-in-Publishing program. Find her at: [www.lapoetarubi.com
Self-Portrait as a Calla Lily (Poem)
After Elizabeth Acevedo
at an acutely transparent intersection between lush foliage and a three-dimensional light
beam unfurls magnificence in a lone petal—one that lives up to the significance of its Grecian name:
beauty. hidden in plain sight engrossed
in larger-than-life, freckled-white greenery, elegance leans
towards the flash of an instant device.
affiliated with Greek folklore, specific
to that of Hercules, is the birth of delicate majesty
unrelated to the Liliaceae family but mistakenly classified as one, nonetheless.
it is I, Zantedeschia Aethiopica, or most commonly
known as, Calla Lily. a spectacular sensation, often
labeled exotic & virtuous as Virgin Mary
symbolic of faith, purity, & eroticized divinity. per, the narrative
of such meticulous pulchritude—one known to cause great envy, jealousy.
consequently & allegedly, Roman Goddess Venus hexed
me. with a penis, a spadix,
as a matter of scientific fact. fortunately, what was intended for harm creator
repurposed for good. hence why, despite said flaw genitalia sells & I still
grace weddings, funerals, & holy matrimonies blessed
enough to commemorate sixth anniversaries despite
maledictions or evil eyes targeted towards the core
of my beliefs, simply
because within the curse lies the power
because this curse is the flower
while all else
is just
fluff.
supposing that my origins are, indeed, mythical
truth is that reality and nature organically blur lines between
supernatural & mystical
poetic & lyrical
& from June
to July—
full sun
or partial shade i resurrect
a chalice & blossom
breathtakingly,
either way.
Note: “Self-Portrait as a Calla Lily” was featured in a 2024 performance of Intonations, which can be viewed at Intonations: Self-Portrait as a Calla Lily.