Academy of The Heart and Mind

keep out

after Olga Rozanova’s “Abstract Composition (Color-painting)”

please keep your hands and arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times
please keep your thoughts and insights inside your pretty little head 
please keep tabs on your sensuality 
please keep your story straight
please keep up appearances 
please keep
please keep
keep away
keep breathing keep breathing keep breathing
keep your weight off my shoulders 
I’m keeping score
I’m keeping my middle fingers in the sky

Published by

Dane Lyn

Dane Lyn (they/them) is a neurospicy, genderqueer, disabled, educator, poet, and glitter enthusiast in a love-hate relationship with Los Angeles, where they reside. Dane has an MFA from Lindenwood University, a ridiculous collection of succulents, and four scavenger hunt runner up ribbons. Dane’s work can be seen in Quillkeepers, Gnashing Teeth, Gutslut, and Imposter. Their debut chapbook by bottlecap press, “bubblegum black,” was released in early 2023 with rave reviews from their mom. They are on social media @punkhippypoet.