Not Wearing Glasses

I walk through thin veils
of colored light and carefully
tread upon gleaming shards 
of precious glass -
broken and neatly scattered 
upon arctic bathroom tiles.

Each sliver reflects
a single piece of your 
perfect anatomy.
An arm, a leg, an eyeball -
a swollen horizontal speck
perceiving a soloist’s surrender 
outside a witch’s mirror.

I cried your name 
in between
loathsome waves of solitude 
this past weekend -
weightless letters floating 
above my bleeding passion
like starved vultures 
gleaning over carrion.

Did you know the affection 
I’ve smothered you with
these past thirty years 
is beginning to smell 
like dirty nylon socks?
I use them now to 
dampen my bloated eyes.

You're fitly ignorant 
of my extended limbs 
and repressed sorrows.
They covet apparel
not filamented with
fleece and falsities.
Your rehearsed kisses 
are dressed in dull razors -
rendering my lips 
gauged and coarsely 
cracked.

I took a shotgun 
to the nightlight last evening
and prayed as I reached for you 
through strands of tattered muslin.
I was hoping to grasp
a parcel of your fading glint
and humbly touch 
your jagged aura -

I foolishly cut my hands.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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12
Crisci Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Heartfelt congratulations on your first win, John. Your emotional poem has touched me deeply...it conveys pain, passion, sadness and mystery. I have enjoyed reading it, and although it is a sad poem as many of mine, it makes your talent and intellect shine. You are one of the most popular poets on Poetry Soup. I wish you the very best. Peace and Love, Andrew.
George   Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 3:52 AM
Such a powerful rendering of raw emotions, John. I have read this many times before and it still hits me with the same impact. POWERFUL INDEED! Many congrat's on your first place win with this masterpiece. Elaine
Freeman Avatar
April 7, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Congratulations John on your first place. Agape, Moses
Onclaud Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 1:10 PM
cheers for ebing on top of the heap, john! :) huggs
Song Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Your glasses are greatly missed here! GOrgeous dedication to such an important invention. I tho't my lil coffee bean and your glasses were both greatly admired! Great job again! Gwendolen
Brown Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Congratulations on your 1st Place win in Drake's contest John. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Congratulations on taking first place in Drake's contest, John. Best wishes, Carolyn
Richards Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Once more, I have no words for the excellence of your writing! You leave me wanting more! :)
Mehta Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 5:45 AM
Congratulations on the first place win in the contest of Drake, John
Wegenast Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 5:44 AM
Congratulations on a deserved win, this is excellent!
Tacito Avatar
April 6, 2011 at 4:56 AM
A spectacular piece. Worthy of 1st for my contest.
Fraser Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Many congratulation's John on your win in Carloyn's "March Madness" contest....:)
Taylor Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Congrats on a well deserved win, John. Nice going. Ralph
Mehta Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Congratulations on the sixth place win in the contest of Carolyn, John
Freeman Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM
`Tis great to see you near the top John with this worthy sixth place honor. Congratulations on this poem's honor. Agape, Moses
Devonshire Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Congratulations on your win, John! Love, Carolyn
Devonshire Avatar
March 5, 2011 at 5:27 PM
:) Thanks for supporting the contest, John! Love, Carolyn
Brown Avatar
February 26, 2010 at 7:24 AM
Congratulations on your win in Starflixer's Betrayal contest John. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Not your usual style, John, but a very moving poem indeed. Congratulations on your win! Enjoy your success. Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Congrats John on your winning poem in the Betrayal contest.. a wonderful win for a unique write for a dynamic poet.. enjoy this victory.. my Lover's Lance won #5 .. luv.. Linda-Marie "Sweetheart" of Poetry Soup..
Butler Avatar
February 22, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Congrats on the win! Very nice poem. -Mike
Villarosa Avatar
February 21, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Deserving win, John. A lovely read and congratulations! (^_^) Noel.
Richards Avatar
February 21, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Perfectly deserving, dear John!!! Another poem that blows me away! Congratulations to you!! ~ Love, Carrie
Dietrich Avatar
February 20, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Just seeing this now. Congratulations on your big win,John. Very fine writing. Luv, Andrea
Sweetheart Avatar
February 20, 2010 at 7:22 AM
Congrats John on your 1st place win in Matt's contest.. a wonderful and beautiful poem .. well deserved win..luv.. Linda-Marie "Sweetheart" of Poetry Soup..
12
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