Michael Burch Poet Verse

First and Last

First and Last
by Michael R. Burch

for Beth

You are the last arcane rose
of my aching,
my longing,
or the first yellowed leaves’
vagrant spirals of gold
forming huddled bright sheaves.
You are passion forsaking
dark skies, as though sunsets no winds might enclose.

And still in my arms
you are gentle and fragrant—
demesne of my vigor,
spent rigor,
lost power,
fallen musculature of youth,
leaves clinging and hanging,
nameless joys of my youth to this last lingering hour.

Published by Tucumcari Literary Review and Poetry Life & Times.
Keywords/Tags: rose, love, ache, desire, longing, passion, autumn, leaves, leaving, clinging, hanging, sunset, lost, youth, joy, joys, yellowed, golden, first, last, final

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

David Wakeling April 4, 2020 at 3:08 AM I read this twice but i am not sure what the reader should learn from this Michael Burch April 4, 2020 at 4:37 PM Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. There are clues in the title "First and Last" and the last line: "nameless joys of my youth to this last lingering hour." The rest of the poem consists of images of the aging process: leaves barely clinging to a tree, sagging musculature, etc. It's a poem about a couple getting older and facing death together.