John Weber Poet Imagism

Thorny Sap

Michael slaps his forearm as he
     thumbs through a
     book of epitaphs,
inscriptions cemented upon a
brown volume filled with tacky
sheets

holding memories under the spotlight
     like that prickly
     crown of thorns
filled with creamy sedation. He
cranks the volume on his tiny
speaker

hoping to cling to Stevie Nicks'
     familiar gravel smoothing
     with pungent aroma
reminiscent of wood-chips and
coriander, until a twitching, frenetic
squirrel

emerges with mange in his scowl.
     He darts with corduroy
     fingers through a
navy backpack filled with bandages,
alcohol and jangling pill bottles before
sighing

in the serene orange permeating beneath
     the direct label
     warning of risk.
Despite the tremors and menacing
stings, he mashes the crispy shell with a
spoon.

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Raul Moreno April 17, 2009 at 2:47 AM Excellent, "holding memories under the spotlight" great line...Raul

Denis Joe April 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM The narrative structure of this works well to build a tension in the poem. I like that the reader is never fullly sure of what is happening in this poem. The descriptions are excellent ('He darts with corduroy - fingers,). the measurement of the lines are well noted and it makes for a great poem to be read out.

Julie Loveless April 15, 2009 at 9:53 AM Another great write john,...julie