Alina Pleskova

4 Poems

Alina Pleskova is the author of the poetry collection Toska (Deep Vellum, 2023), a 2024 Lambda Literary Award finalist. More at: alinapleskova.com

RECESSION INDICATOR

Less need
for recreational
degradation

Obliterate me
some gentler way

PRAXIS

Field sparrows perform a shorter,
more discreet song at night
to indicate they’d like to fuck,
not mate. The pawpaw
is pollinated by carrion insects,
who take it for decomposing meat.
Some flowers don’t even bother
with petals, sex junk all hanging out.

My favorite sort of Knowledge
isn’t useful for much, but aligns
with my sense of the universe

& all its little tchotchkes.

LE BONHEUR DE VIVRE

Take the afternoon
off to paint toenails
green & have real
European emotions
in the presence
of a security guard

Who left this
flower garland
at the sinkhole?

When will they
let a weary,
stoned woman
take over
for a change?

LIFESTYLE BRAND

A woman on HGTV is plotting her dream kitchen—
Statement backsplash 
Natural stones
Integrated smart appliances

I’d go for a spacious, light-filled, mouseless
kitchen where the power doesn’t cut out if more than
two small appliances are used, but I don’t
expect to ever own one, so the thought exercise
makes me a little cranky

At least there’s a dignity in not
being giddy about talking consumer electronics
that offer recognition of our desires,
which should be irregular & surprising
often, as a form of psychospiritual maintenance

Meanwhile, on the Travel channel,
these guys are hoping to have a paranormal encounter
in someone’s house, & I get that—

take what getaways we can afford