#8

Poetry & Persona with Jessie Sage

Hello my beloveds!

It has been a while since I’ve written a blog post. As many of you know, though I haven’t been seeing clients for the past several months, I’ve kept myself busy within the industry by hosting Sex Worker Writes, an online literary salon for SWs. And what a rewarding experience it has been! We meet a couple times a week to chat, write together, and exchange constructive feedback. Occasionally, we host other writers to lead generative or reflective workshops, perhaps the most notable being the brilliant teacher, writer, and former-SW Margo Steines, whose fantastic memoir “Brutalities” was published by Norton in October 2023. (She also hosts some STELLAR workshops…be sure to check them out!)

Through Sex Worker Writes, I’ve met dozens of other SWs from several other countries, one of whom being fellow writer/sex worker Jessie Sage, who has emerged over the past several years as a preeminent voice in the sex worker rights movement.

I was so honored when Jessie asked me if I’d be on her new show, When We’re Not Hustling: A Podcast Featuring Sex Workers Talking About Everything But, to discuss my writing life. In typical ADHD fashion, our conversation spans myriad topics, including but not limited to glimpses into my many works-in-progress. I even read one of my poems, the text for which I will share below.

Jessie is a great interviewer–sharp-witted and warm-hearted–so if you’re a SW who would like to go on the show, don’t hesitate to reach out to her. Without further ado… here’s the episode! (Please like and subscribe and share and yadda-yadda-yadda!)

Who Needs Porn

when one is an actor, and

the other a Whore? Who needs it, when you 

can just think of the way a horse-hairbow pulls

across the fibers of violin strings, 

of stripped osso buco bones upright in copper 

pans, of a good pun, of wine-and-weed poetry and,

twenty years apart, nailing all Lou’s hey-

Babes. Just think of that charcuterie board 

we made, damn fine, comb through memories 

of dawn-lit tips over a scalp silky and tangled, 

remembering our bodies on the balcony, 

a forgotten cigarette expiring 

between your fingers. Time can stop sometimes.

As you know: not often, not easily.

You decided to give up porn, saying

it is I who comprises your fantasy—

One fantasy, at least: the one where

you’re a good boy. Clean. Pure. 

Deserving. I can always tell by your grin—

when another deposit saves in your 

brain or your balls or your breastplate, waiting

until a moment you decide it’s time

to conjure yourself another scene, time

to come for me, for them, for all of us—

and though we all know only time can make time 

come, time and again when I do, I think of yours. Think

of ours. Think of how a good fuck, a true

one, is supposed to feel, when next to strange

someones who know just where they may feel it.

Write With Me!

If you are a SWing writer or writing SWer, I encourage you to follow @swerwrites (and me, if you don’t already, @sensememories!) on Twitter–or whatever it’s called now–for more details and information on how to join the weekly SW-only writing circles. Click here for details!

For clients who are interested in one-on-one writing coaching, proofreading, or editing, please feel free to inquire about my services, including client references, by emailing madeleineblair1919@gmail.com.

As always, if you have enjoyed reading and would like to send a tip (to help me fix my beloved whip), you can do so to Venmo @cookiegoogleman or Cash-App at $madeleineblair – Thank you as always for your consideration!