22 tarots in disuse
1 red vase, dusty
all-pervasive monstrosity
of ill truisms abandoned on a chair ---
23 versions of the same lie
to them, goodbye
45 attempts at the same abuse
recreating the ideal ego
same leitmotiv, lame leitmotiv
and since the wind was up this morning
like an early song --- it took
took took them all away
how they hate to be forgotten
birthday wishes and all!
on the wind’s wings rings my laughter:
how ironic predictable and hirsute
monstrosity’s farcical face
look look look, so manifest now!
2 green glasses sticky, stacked up
reminders of a desperate embrace
whispering empty incantation
saccharine fragrance undiluted
heavy-duty grip of death
an old parrot (1) writes a few maudlin verses
to mimic a sad song sobbing for love
trapped in the cage of the afternoon
--- 2 green glasses, finally washed
freed from the grip of gluey dregs.
Incredible depth to this piece, Axilea. Interesting how the past shapes us and forces us to move forward. Like the sense of hope from that last line, too.
Sheila
Reviewed by D. Vegas (Reader)
Reviewed on June 16, 2011
Axilia, Remembering but moving on...
Always,
Deborah
Oooo, I get those numbers--love those numbers. They add symetry to the whole of the poem. "took took took" and its rephrasing in "look look look" do the same; nothing I love better than a parallel bit of poetry. On a different note, there is no sadness in this poem, but a sense of finality, self-mockery, and spacious freedom. This year will be fuller than ever of the antithesis: may it be full of beginnings, of self discovery and success, and of loosing yourself in tight bonds of brotherly love. --Charlie
I'm not sure you've removed the pain entirely,
Axilea, but rather sublimated it; this is wish
in a different way, a see through the nonsense
and insincerity way; the images come together
to paint a still life: cards, absinthe glasses,
vase and that old parrot mimicing, repeating.
You stir so much in me with this poetry, thank you.
Early Works is an exhaustive compilation of the first decade of the poems and stories of Z.B.McClure. Included are family photos, rare personal photos, photos of 1st draft manuscripts of many of his early poems. Also some biography and memoir materia
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Sandy
Sheila
Always,
Deborah
dan
excellent writing herein, axilea.
best wishes,
carolyn
Axilea, but rather sublimated it; this is wish
in a different way, a see through the nonsense
and insincerity way; the images come together
to paint a still life: cards, absinthe glasses,
vase and that old parrot mimicing, repeating.
You stir so much in me with this poetry, thank you.
John
Be always safe,
Karen
Amor
This work is brilliantly hypnotic in the use of syntax, as well as simply stunning in layered meaning!
Blessings,
Christine
especiall this one:
on the wind’s wings rings my laughter:
I like how you removed the pain from this painful tale, Axilea.
-gene.
fee