October Death

1
Rain for weeks
bruised October.

The burden of bitter
air spewed from the
drain of my swollen yard.

Already the birds had turned
to pirates.
I saw the night let
a blind rag wing dive
from a tree into the rapids
of a sidewalk,
rolling, crumbling like a
mad leaf.

              2
The afternoon had cleared
and isolated my yard in
cold light.

Wet death had made no
ceremony for the rigid
squirrel.

Murky death had stolen
its eyes.

Hard death had robbed
the squirrel. I rolled
the item in newspaper.

Thoughtless death into
the trash bag
with Styrofoam and Reynolds Wrap.

             3
Living wavered
on a matchstick.

On an evening some
flickering things were
                        extinguished.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020


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

Date: 9/17/2021 4:17:00 PM
A superb poem, Thomas. Your opening two lines drew me in while the poem's unraveling lines of species death left such memorable images. A truly fine write that enriches. Best wishes, Brian
Login to Reply
Wells Avatar
Thomas Wells
Date: 9/18/2021 12:19:00 AM
You have given me some of the best comments on my poems. It makes it all worthwhile. Thanks again, Brian. PAX!
Date: 9/16/2021 12:13:00 AM
I really enjoyed the way you wrote this. Your choice of words danced across my eyes. A pleasure indeed. Shame the weather's been so terrible, may it improve.
Login to Reply
Wells Avatar
Thomas Wells
Date: 9/17/2021 1:49:00 AM
Hey Scott, I really am grateful for the feedback. I wrote this poem many years ago. At the time, I was living in Missouri. I am so glad others can relive what I was feeling then.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter