Sophia Georghiou

The Real Treasure

There’s a mouth in the sea
that is damp & dark.

I visit to give these men
a good, wholesome time.

The only light shines
from their golden teeth as they
laugh, I’m the real treasure.

We play a game where they have
to guess what seasoning’s been
sprinkled inside my pussy — Paprika!

One cries. Cardamom, another.
One predicts poppy from the black
seed wedged between his teeth.

Nope! I giggle, hear a groan
from the corner, the sad pirate

(broke horse) ugly bum
of the bunch: Mixed seasoning.

I linger, part the grey
beard netting his silver lips.

You’re right, I say,
then lean in, kiss.

Sophia Georghiou has been published in The Journal of Creative Writing Research and various poetry journals such as Poetry London, Lineage, the6ress and others. Her poetry was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and longlisted for the Pat Kavanagh Prize. Her forthcoming collection Gloria Trillo won the 2025 Eric Gregory Award