Flatlining

People ask how this yearlong will come
to pass, of which parts are the triumphs
and stench of learning... of why blossoms
drop on cobblestones ravaged
by a wildfire tearing velvet buds,
flatlining: the male stamen and female pistil
barren from incessant drought. 

And why of all things, must god-children
endure anxieties trapped in houses
yearning to grasp a firefly on the lane,
to hug grandparents, not from a distance
but...but in the flesh of every day--
Add into this equation an insatiable need
for human connection where friends, kin gather
like a warm herd exchanging intimacies
skin to skin, mouth on mouth, arm in arm---

This is limbo within the inferno of the living,
while Pilates from urban jungles rinse their hands
absolving themselves from mortal sins...
an epoch of how time's pleasure or pus could pass.
 


Craig Cornish's 2020 Contest
5/23/2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Hamilton Avatar
June 2, 2020 at 1:35 PM
Wonderful write Nette. well, considering the subject matter, congrats on a top win, well deserved!
Proxenos Avatar
May 28, 2020 at 11:44 AM
You describe what happens in urban jungles so aptly Nette, your poem is superb - congratulations on your win my friend. Blessings, Jenny.
Agustin Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 8:38 PM
Wow! Congrats! Ang galing! God bless you. (Thanks for my placement in your recently-judged contest).
Goldsmith Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 5:04 PM
Congratulations on your win. Sure hope 2020 will end on a high note. Enjoy your win and day.................
Mishra Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 2:24 PM
This is a powerful message with real imagery in times like these Nette! Congratulations on your top placement! :)
La France Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 11:39 AM
Nette, congratulations on your awesome win in Brian's contest with this outstanding write _Constance
Canerdy Avatar
May 25, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Nette, you certainly deserve your first-place win! The "Pilates" metaphor is especially memorable. Janice
Leffanta Avatar
May 23, 2020 at 2:27 PM
It is indeed on opportune time for civilisation to pause and reflect upon where it is today and where it wants to be. Perhaps the coming USA elections will make the difference? Aloha! Rico
Krutsinger Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 9:45 PM
You can say this sixty thousand more times "This is limbo within the inferno of the living," - EXACTLY write!
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 8:02 PM
Oh WOW, you have described these times with such vivid, powerful imagery and emotion, Nette! I don't know what is worse the disease or the fear...could be the loneliness of it all. I do hope you are staying well...xx Rhonda
Cunningham Avatar
May 22, 2020 at 5:19 PM
Purgatory on limbo of the living, powerful verse Nette. Hope you're well. Good luck in the contest. Tom
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