Promises
Yellow shirt
face painted on
slit
up the side
of her skirt
walking directly
into the sun
without flinching
without giving
it a second
thought
looking into
her silver
pocket mirror
and adjusting
her hair
as it slides
beyond her shoulders
and to her waist
below
Ring
He takes a drink
navigating his way
through the crowd
to see her
double vision
the alcohol
kicking into
place
there is
a sweet success
in making it
to her
pass the wavering room
and into the small space
between them
her eyes linger
hanging her head high
he smiles
yellowed teeth
from years
of smoking
trying to make
a good impression
the band begins
to play again
she walks
out onto the dance floor
leaving him
to wonder
what he would say
if she said yes
Motel Six
Red tint
iodine soaked
peeling back
pressed into
the radiator
tied and bound
searing flesh
crouched down
into a corner
the lights flashing
through the thin curtains
gasps of air
coming from between
the tape
an endless parade
of screams
unanswered
only to be
cut again
caught in the act
of trying to escape
kicking
crying
begging
pleading
there isn't anything
left
only a flash
of hot
silver light
and the wait
is over
Rice
Measuring yourself
walking towards the rumbling dirt
Hot crickets pop down
Collect
Uneven
one is brighter
than the other
one
stands w h o l e
separated
in the blossoming air
victory
a sport
upon their face
this unwrapped
piece of candy
melting down
through your hands
reaching for what
you think
that you don't
deserve
The Shore
Wavering
off towards
the coast
there is
a sad beacon
of what
we have become
fog
takes over
the cabin
and I
cannot see
the shore
there is
no hunt
no passage
way home
just the idea
that here lies
this great
and powerful
love
that once
made silver
now lives
underground
daisies
spring from its side
and grass
grows high
in the blue
country
A flirt
Tip my hat down low
Acknowledging your presence
Black hair blue eyes sing
Your powerful metaphor and and the way you use only essentail language is wonderful ... even the shortest of poems can speak a thousand words ... Motel Six describes terror almost beautifully ... and The Shore is another of what you're so good at, portraying the infinity of love and also its collapse ... here's a long one i wrote after our dog died many years ago ...
ReplyDeleteFOR BEN
Now is the time to remember
now is the chance to recall
our reasons for grieving so deeply
your premature loss from us all.
How it seems such an age and a moment
your puppy-face cheered us a treat
those tentative first steps for a spaniel
as you scuttled your way down the street,
into hedgerows, gardens and bushes
the sprightliest springer would roam
chasing golf balls, poodles and thrushes
till a spank would rally him home.
there to munch on savoury biscuits
and slobber his two Bonios
every crumb was detected with relish
on the floor with his hoover-like nose.
But all was not gobblesome frolics
as many a called would site
a ring or a knock would soon tell them
your bark was far worse than your bite!
And bathtime was a definite no-no
as baby-like Ben yelped and howled
his objection to shampoo and blow-dry
though he loved his 'wotsit' being towelled!
At beaches and Cumbrian rivers
he became the swimmer supreme
what laughter and mayhem there followed
his waggledatious tail-end downstream!
Oft' times in the kitchen or hallway
we would hear the clackety-clang
with his head submerged in a portion
of chicken, mincemeat or ham.
These are the simplest of memories
though I trust there are more to uphold
for none can forget your sweet nature
and the blessings you brought to our fold,
now when I walk through the silence
of pathways and "let me in!" doors
I fancy I can hear in the distance
the faint echo of spaniel paws.
Oh my Ian...I love this...it drove me to tears...Beautiful!!!! Thank you as always for your beautiful and thoughtful words. This poem reminds me of the wonderful family members (dogs, but family members to us) that we have lost. So many happy memories, but I still miss them all....especially Johnny. She was a lovely dog-full of persoanlity. We had her since she was a puppy and at three years of age, she was diagnosed with seizure disorder and was on medication to control her epilepsy. We lost her at the age of fifteen. She went into a seizure and never came out of it. I miss her everyday. I loved her so much. I wrote about her quite a bit, poetry and such, and I am incorporating her into the new horror novel. She was a constant inspiration to me...and even though some days she drove me crazy with her stubbornness...I still cry at the thought of her being gone. Maybe, one day, I'll see her again. Thanks so much Ian!!! I am so sorry for your loss as well. Love to you and yours!!!! :)
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