Leprosy
sanguineous leprosy you have come
for me at last.
pity the small things.
fingernail feelings...
i had no need for them in the fourth
grade at ellsworth elementary.
blood in the principals office,
blood in the hallway.
returning home off the bus down the
gravel road the pool of bethesda
in a mudpuddle to my right.
the angels stirred up by the undercarrage
of a 76 cheyenne passing overhead.
it does not leak oil but maybe
a little gin and salt.
rattling, clanking, coming a little more
undone..
april in the kitchen canning blackberry jam.
you were a good mother you know.
pouring cold bath water over my skin after
walking
through the stinging nettles.
you said dont worry its not leprosy but
just a metaphor you will use later in life in a
poem.
you showed me the bookshelf and
described how
stinging nettles are called Urtica dioica
and originated from austria.
Copyright © Nathan Martin | Year Posted 2014
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