My husband's poetry

Category: reading/writing

  • Reading the Iliad in Time of War

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    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    reading the Iliad in time of war the blood, the corpses, the victors and the dead cities in ruins, captives carried away salvation snatched from the bowels of a domesticated beast bright sun makes pages glare and hurt my eyes I retreat to the shade the story never has a different ending discarded orange peel…

  • Because

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    by

    cfblack
    in

    Because I read the King James version of the Bible, I learned that half-truths and blasphemy can sound beautiful; because I read the stories of King David, I learned that a sinner could still be chosen by God; because I read DC Comic Books, I learned that even super heroes have their kryptonite; because I…

  • Dream #7,919

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    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    I dreamed before Frankenstein’s monster was consumed, his pyre sank to the bottom of the Arctic Sea. He convalesced in the belly of a whale, sat in Jonah’s chair, ate leftovers from Ahab’s last meal, read graffiti left by Aristotle and Pliny, hired Pinocchio’s cricket to be his life coach and learned how to be…

  • Mary Shelly’s fishing lure

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    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    a lure caught in low branches abandoned by its owner suspended in air left to gaze out at water just beyond reach unable to fish tiny glass eyes stare out begging for help I stare back with nothing to say 4-20-24

  • sharp pencil

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    by

    cfblack
    in

    sharp pencil never scratched paper or became a well-chewed stub eraser worn away to nothing 1-27-24

  • The reader

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    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    Because I read the King James version of the Bible, I learned the misogyny of Paul could imitate the truth and sound beautiful on the tongue. Because I read Peter Matthiessen, I learned the truth is hidden in the narrative. Because I read Homer, I learned every hero has an Achilles heel and a dog…

  • tercet sun

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    by

    cfblack
    in , , ,

    Chilly dawn at water’s edge Anole hides in bush Waiting on the sun Suction toes hold it Hanging on the underside of a leaf You gather dead limbs Add them to your burn pile For cooler nights to come You study a preliminary translation For ‘Ode of the Dove’ Sip cold tea Wish you were…

  • Only

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    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    If I do not write about hurt, it does not mean I do not hurt. It only means I’m running short on time and need to focus on the positive. If I do not write about social change, it does not mean I am blind. It only means I’m working on myself, refining the cinder…

  • conjunctions

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    by

    cfblack
    in ,

    last night, I dreamed verbs, nouns, adverbs, adjectives separate word rooms with conjunctions of connecting doors and corridors 1-17-22

  • after reading Yevtushenko haiku

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    by

    cfblack
    in , ,

    with backward glances we buildup pyres of regret face forward and live 12-21-21