Home » Poems » Jaymee Thomas » Inherited Jawbones

Inherited Jawbones

I’ve taken up polishing skulls.
Not trophies, 
just my kin—
their sockets still 
echoing
what they aren't 
ready to hear.
Though it's only 
what they've said 
themselves.

I never knew 
what reckoning meant
however,
in terms of preparation,
that is, 
my training 
for the abrasing escalation 
of the manner 
in which they've behaved?
That's easy, 

I crack pebbles now,
knuckles before a fight,
teeth on a dare—testing 
hollow sentiments.

It's kept me protected,
but I will say this: 
it hasn't attracted many fans.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/7/2025 1:34:00 PM

Sounds like a hobby for which the fans don't lobby!... as revealing as it may be. ~ Gershon

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 7/6/2025 6:51:00 AM

Introspection is heartless. Thank you for this poem. I fight genetics everyday.

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/5/2025 10:58:00 AM

Dear Jaymee, your title (love it!) ties you into the familial lineage, that you both revere and satirize, but I didn't fully realize that until I got to your ingenious last line, a layer of irony on top of irony. Your incisive poem bubbles with unresolved issues that pulsate to life with your creative and astounding pen. I adore both the sense of struggle with emotional/generational/familial burdens and the sense of respect/appreciation. Your rich imagery is sharp yet tender, softly critical but intimate.. a truly brilliant poetic creation! Warmest wishes, my soulful poet friend.. ~Susan

Tom Woody
Date: 7/6/2025 4:49:00 AM

Susan Ashley
Date: 7/5/2025 5:05:00 PM

That’s what I thought, Tom.. I figured I’d say it for us both :)

Tom Woody
Date: 7/5/2025 4:00:00 PM

That's was I was tryna say. Yes'm

Tom Woody

Date: 7/4/2025 5:08:00 PM

GAAA! More jawbones. And you're on a warpath so I'm wearing a leather chin strap, thank you