Reanimated Lavender Granola Switchblade Nun rides again.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Future Imperfect

A poem appeared, saying it was sent by the horizon.

Naked except for a hibiscus bloom in its hair, it danced upon a pile of old tires burning behind the strip mall.

"A signal fire," it said.
The smoke became blackbirds, their beaks a collective compass needle.
The poem was itself a flock.

Looking up, I said, "Curiosity killed the cat.
Satisfaction brought her back."

That was the last I saw of the poem,
but its hibiscus bloom hangs from a chain I wear on my wrist
like a false hand 
with a true ring
in lambent light that doesn't show the blood.
_______

for Skylover Word List.

9 comments:

  1. Oh my god, the naked poem, dancing, the smoke that becomes blackbirds, the poem that was itself a flock.......you have outdone yourself. I am gobsmacked.

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  2. You are a brilliant poet. Your imagination knows no boundaries. I feel as gob-smacked as Sherry.

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  3. Woohooo! This gives me chills, like only the best poetry can. Also a huge grin, because that poetry bird is flying, dressed in the shimmer of its black wings, and we all wear the talisman, and hope for tomorrow.

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  4. Thank you so much, ladies! The three of you have made my morning!!! :-)

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  5. Goodness, Shay. I echo all the above--and want to state that I wrote my own creaky effort before reading yours, so "strip mall" is a pretty amazing example of synchronicity. This poem starts out very modestly, for something carrying a large double-headed axe in its conclusion, which left me breathless and also, looking over my shoulder...Heady stuff, my dear friend, and a vigorous example of how well you can write to your highest level spontaneously.

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  6. You have done it again fren, totally blew my mind. Your writing always amazes me. The tires burning behind the strip mall and the smoke becoming blackbirds...wow. Just simply, wow.

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  7. Hedge--no surprise that we should be on the same wave length. Why we haven't achieved global domination yet is a mystery! I always love your thoughtful comments and I am so pleased you mentioned the easy beginning and the shiv at the end. Thanks, dear.

    Toni-- thanks so much for the very kind words. I'm glad you liked the image of the smoke/blackbirds flying. After all, you are an ace at natural images.

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  8. "Naked except for a hibiscus bloom in its hair ..."

    "but its hibiscus bloom hangs from a chain I wear on my wrist
    like a false hand
    with a true ring
    in lambent light that doesn't show the blood"

    This imagery is such a beautiful gut-punch.

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  9. ^^^poetic gut punches are good! Thanks.

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Spirit, what do you wish to tell us?