My husband's poetry

Category: fear

  • High, narrow ledge

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    high, narrow ledge fire behind net below ready to jump – no wait – needing to jump he wonders if the last jumper was smaller than him holds his breath shuts his eyes steps into space 10-12-21

  • flee

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    I flee sharp teeth guard my back one leg anchored to a plow the other ready to run I’m a refugee fleeing oblivion the salvage yard, the fiery caldron the melting down, the disappearing once I had purpose now I’m only in the way taking up space in a shed developers will raze and haul…

  • Faith

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    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    You never knew you were afraid of heights until you had to walk across that bridge. Don’t look down. Look up. Say, yes, believe; take the first step. The abyss is powerless to stop you 3-17-21

  • Room 511

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , , ,

    I didn’t walk yesterday, ordered out for wings, didn’t cook or lift weights, went to bed before 9, told myself it was just a nap. 4 am, I woke from a dream I had been sent to Room 511 to prepare a patient for electro shock therapy. I untied her gown, strapped her tight to…

  • Rainy day

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , , , ,

    Rain in yard, coffee on porch, Friend on phone Says hello, how are you? We talk of family, of health, Of vaccines, Grandiose post-COVID plans Last leaves launch in air In seven days Write fears on paper Consign in Solstice fire Happy Hanukkah Merry Christmas, and Kwanza, too 12-14-20

  • Buttered limbs

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    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    Today, I go into the wilderness, no armor or weapons. Face monsters and wild beasts. I will not resist their hunger their gnashing and tearing their ravenous devouring. Should I shower first, butter my limbs, flavor skin with spices, sprinkle oregano in my hair? Today, I go into the wilderness, look for me in scat…

  • Thumbtacks

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    Election Day, trying to avoid the news trying to think of anything but this election On a friend’s page, I see a picture of a pinup girl, wonder what she was like when she wasn’t a fantasy I feel guilty for looking, but I look anyway, tell myself that the person she was that day…

  • Not if, but when

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    by

    cfblack
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    too intent on not dying we do not live death examine etchings on walls of passage gouges and scratches on exit door frame stop, carve your initials with X’s and O’s turn the handle and pass through 9-22-20

  • Ricky

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , , ,

    Ricky moved into a new house built on an old grass landing strip of Shambaugh Airport Three years older than everyone in 4th grade he’d chase me home from school One day, I ran into our house home early, Dad made me go back out and fight Ricky put me in a headlock I bit…

  • advice for November 4th

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    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    Mercy is greater than justice Or we will all perish 9-2-20