Deliverance

Last summer was dry
Grass turned brittle
Beetles devoured roses
Fumes from sweltering engines swept over
   dusty streets like ghosts.
The ground cracked.
Bits of dirt crumbled in my hands.
Bone dry desert thoughts
Puffy lip,tongue cleaving thoughts
   like what if memories become mirages?
Wild thoughts clothed in sackcloth and ashes
   like what if grief grafts itself into my soul
   so deeply
   it becomes who I am?

That summer,loneliness cleaved to me
   pulling me down to the dust
   until I could taste it.
It was a dry,sere summer.
I prayed for sun darkening clouds
   so that rain would trickle down your body
   cleansing you from pain.
Your courage cracked.
As you prayed for death
   bits of hope crumbled in my hands.
My eyes searched yours.
Like a vapor or a mist, your spirit left.
In but a moment you were no longer there.
                                                                 
by Barbara Aquila
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
July 12, 2018 at 9:18 AM
You are a poet. Welcome to the soup.
Ajmal Avatar
June 17, 2018 at 1:32 PM
It s a really dark and deep poem, an enjoyable one to read, welcome to poetrysoup, I am sure that you ll enjoy your long stay here, good luck and continue to write
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