Poetry Corner with Ivy and Friends: Poet of the Day Lee Todd Lacks

GETTING TO KNOW THE POET

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Lee Todd. 

I'm an old soul who resides in Southern Maine with my wife, my son, our dog, and our Chinese dwarf hamster. My experience of living with significant vision and hearing deficits often informs my writing and artwork. As a mixed-media artist, I seek to blur the distinctions between rants, chants, anecdotes, and anthems. My wife has always encouraged my creative pursuits. In addition to writing and performing, I am a certified music therapist, who works with developmentally disable children and adults. My family and I have a lot going on at the moment, and we are anticipating some potentially huge life changes in the coming months. 


What inspires you to write poetry? 

Sometimes, my pieces are written in response to a life experience that seems particularly transformative e.g. a sudden change in my vision or hearing. Other times, they're written in response to a prevalent social concern. I enjoy creating alternate, idyllic worlds in which characters take on lives of their own. I tend to create what the muse inspires me to create; whether it be a metered poem, a short story, a digital illustration, or a spoof advertisement. If the subject matter seems sufficiently compelling, then the form and genre inevitably reveal themselves. I've always enjoyed writing and artwork that explores the subject of spanking. 

Ironically however, I had never a written or drawn about this subject until about four years ago. Needless to say, the decision to do so liberated me to become far more prolific! While I always feel somewhat anxious about posting poems of a sexually provocative nature on social media, I've been somewhat astounded by the extent to which folks seem willing to consider my peculiar brand of naughty.


When people read your poetry, what is it that you would like or hope they understand about you through your words?

I want people to know that I don't shy away from earthy or indelicate subject matter. Much of my writing and artwork celebrates the physicality of women, and though I strive to honor the female subjects of my poems, stories, and illustrations, I tend to portray them as beleaguered protagonists, who spend a lot of time with their skirts up. With respect to erotic poetry in particular, I believe that if you're going to go there, then go there. Nothing's less satisfying than an overly apologetic spanking poem. Erotica succeeds when it portrays authentic relationships, in all their blush-inducing glory!

POETRY BY LEE TODD LACKS 

DURGIN-PARK

By Lee Todd Lacks

I can't help but notice how

impish you seem when

you offer to meet at

the end of your shift.

Forty-two minutes later,

we wait by the bathroom.

When we know no one's

looking, you let us both in.

This closet's so close,

we can't move without

touching. There's an

oval-shaped mirror,

and a small white buld, and

a vase of pink flowers.

Your pleated skirt rises

like a felt showroom curtain,

just far enough to

reveal fabulous prizes.

I reach without asking to

feel up your nylons

till fingers trace fringes

of cotton and lace.

I peel your underwear past

shimmying hips, kissing your

shimmering thighs. Slipping

my fingers up and in, simmering

wet, so far within, we never

hear them knocking.

BACKSTORY 

By Lee Todd Lacks

I.

Though I try to stay out of trouble, I can't, 

like the time I was visiting my uncle and aunt

My cousin Eileen was several years older

as naughty as me, but quite a bit bolder

she was fourteen, and I was eleven 

in the summer of 1977,

just minding my business, reading a book, 

when my cousin ran over and said, "Come and look!

Momma's been gettin' in trouble again!"

She gave me a wink and a mischievous grin

and though Eileen knew it was sinful to tattle, 

she told me Aunt Nancy was gettin' the paddle! 

Then, she led me upstairs to a small, shuttered room, 

where I felt an impression of foreboding and gloom. 

Through a half open door, I could hear a stern voice. 

"Very well then, Nancy. You leave me no choice!"

though my cousin resist the temptation to peak

Uncle John's voice sounded edgy and curt

when he told my Aunt Nancy to lift up her skirt. 

Aunt Nancy knew there was no point in talking

as she lifted her skirt to reveal sheer, nylon stockings

The stockings went up past her shapely rear end 

which came into focus as she started to bend. 

I turned to my cousin and asked, "What are those?"

Eileen rolled her eyes and replied "pantyhose."

My uncle said, "Let's get this over with, Nance.

Take off your stockin's and those French underpants."

Aunt Nancy cried out in abject despair, 

"Please, Johnny! Please don't paddle me bare!"

but Aunt Nancy's panties weren't up for debate

"You'll get it harder if I have to wait!"

"Yes, sir," my aunt swooned, hardly shedding a tear

as she proceeded to bare her voluminous rear 

though my cousin and I had no right to stare, 

we watched Nancy step out of her underwear!

Then, we watched her get spanked with a well-seasoned paddle, 

till the force of her cries made the window panes rattle, 

Eileen and I witnessed this trauma with dread

as Uncle John turned my aunt's bottom red

and though she must been terrible sore, 

Aunt Nancy kept asking my uncle for more. 

Eileen and I looked at one another in shock, 

til she solemnly whispered, "We need to talk."

II. 

"How do you feel about what we just saw?"

"I don't know, cousin. My emotions are raw, 

but for reasons I won't even try to explain

Aunt Nancy seems to seek pleasure in pain."

"She does," said my cousin, "though she always denied it, 

for when Papa spanks me, she claims to despise it, 

but my ind and my body are beginning to change, 

and a lot of my feelings seen totally strange. 

At my time of the month, when I'm feeling cranky, 

I wish I could ask some nice boy to spank me. 

if the person who spanks me is a really good friend, 

I wouldn't mind asking for a rosy rear end. 

I'd take a few strokes, or perhaps, a few dozen, 

but my boyfriend's not here, just you and me, cousin."

"Oh, my goodness, Eileen. have you lost your mind?

You actually want me to smack your behind?!"

"I know that it might seem terrible odd, 

but yes, if you wouldn't mind it, Lee Todd. 

I've always been more than a little bit curious. 

but if my parents found out, they'd be totally furious!"

I really wasn't quite sure what to say, 

so, I paused for a moment, and mumbled, "Okay."

Eileen drew a sigh, and said, "Please make it hurt."

"You asked for it, cousin. Now, lift up that skirt!

since you seemed so excited by Aunt Nancy's trauma, 

you're gonna get paddled, just like your Momma!"

UNTITLED  

By Lee Todd Lacks

When they're alone and tired
at the end of the day
she reaches up her skirt
like she does most nights
just before bedtime
tugs down her sheer black tights
with no further adieu
though he can't help but
notice how she stops at her knees
and goes back upskirt,
slip her panties down, too
till they meet
they hosiery heap
undressing
with a sense of purpose
no wink or come hither look
just a rueful sigh
as she bends sharply
at the waist
and says,
"I need my rear end to hurt
worse than my heart.
Please help me." 

THE POETS FAVORITE POEM

Poet Lee Todd Lacks was asked to share one of his favorite poems and he chose to share, "Bowery Blues" by Jack Kerouac.  Here is why...

What is it about, "Bowery Blues" by Jack Kerouac, that makes it your favorite poem?

I really appreciate his minimalist style, and the extent to which he focuses upon marginalized members of society. 

To read "Bowery Blues by Jack Kerouac  click here.

THANK YOU

I would like to Thank, Poet Lee Todd Lacks, for giving us all the opportunity to learn more about you as a poet and person. You have so much talent and your poetry is visually pleasing when read. I wish you nothing but the best in your future in writing and artwork.  Happy writing!