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Cali Sober

my cigarette shrouds me in smoke i am still a mystery to myself i take melancholy like drugs there’s such a grim beauty in the city with flowers making war through the fences and the city has withdrawn. what depression when the dispensaries are open until eleven my feelings get wistful as i mourn my sobriety but i’m cali sober and who wants to be gloomy when the world bursts with psychedelic color and god’s design calculates every swirl and eddy of my cigarette smoke simultaneous with all others in this infinite moment. 5/31/23, Eight Word Challenge Poetry Contest, Emile Pinet

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Gary Radice

Date: 8/1/2023 12:55:00 PM

I love this Sydney. Some poets have the art of being able to draw the reader in; to make them sit up and take notice of the words before them. I salute you. There's an air of intrigue, and what I can only describe as 'a beautiful rawness' to your work that I find fascinating. Cheers - Gary

Yann Rolland

Date: 5/31/2023 11:24:00 PM

a melancholic and thoughtful scene, made think about smokers, beautifulpenning

Sydney Morrison
Date: 6/1/2023 10:21:00 AM

Thank you very much! :)

Sotto Poet

Date: 5/31/2023 5:44:00 PM

Sydney, As I peruse this somber poem, I cannot help but marvel at this poem's adeptness in incorporating the prescribed words. The imagery of cigarette smoke enveloping the protagonist while failing to dispel their inner turmoil is poignant. The notion of melancholy being akin to a drug underscores the bleakness of the piece. And yet, amidst this darkness, there is a certain allure to the city - its desolation and the juxtaposition of flowers at war behind fences is a testament to its beauty.

Sydney Morrison
Date: 6/1/2023 10:22:00 AM

Sotto, thank you so much! I tried to create some tension between beauty and melancholy. So glad you enjoyed it.