Xanthophobia

Zanthoxylum shrubs with clustered yellow flowers,
Yolks of eggs and yellow jackets make her want to scream.
Xanthophobia ensnares her. It is sickening
Wakening to an aureate dawn’s bright rays.
Vehemently she shakes!
Ubiquitous are sunny days; she much prefers the clouds.
They keep her safe from light and her anxiety at bay.
Secluded in her rose pink room, she stays inside,
Rarely venturing outside except at eventide.
Quick is she to greet fast-falling snow.
Pedestrians abandon streets. Then she likes to go
Out to see the colored world buried in tranquility,

Nauseated she becomes just seeing people eat
Macaroni’s yellowish cheese, all things buttery,
Lemon cakes, bananas, mustard. It is a feat
Keeping herself calm. Sometimes she panics.
Jaundiced skin can do her in.
In many cases, she turns to Xanex. 
Hideous to her is this disease,
Growing, never slowing. Even therapy
Fails to help. Whatever can she do?
Emotionally frazzled, living with unease when
Dandelions, daisies or ducks come into view.
Corn, baby chicks, and girls that she has seen
Bleached a brilliant bombshell blonde so bold!
All of it - florescent dreams - are nightmares laced in gold.


For the First Ever ZYX Contest sponsored by John Lawless
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Watt Avatar
May 16, 2020 at 11:21 PM
Amazing poem in the ZYX form. Congrats on your win for that contest. Sad condition, though, fearing (or getting nauseated from) the color yellow!
Jones Avatar
April 19, 2019 at 12:47 AM
I'm in year 12 and using this poem for an assignment does anyone know when and or why this poem was written because i can't for the life of me find any information on the author or the history/story behind why it was written.
Dietrich Avatar
April 19, 2019 at 5:52 PM
Kiara, please I hope you come back here and talk to me. I see you have no poems or Soupmail, so I cannot message you. I left my email here for you under this message. Andrea Dietrich
Dietrich Avatar
April 19, 2019 at 9:57 AM
Contact me at [email protected] and I'll answer all your questions.
Gauthier Avatar
April 15, 2018 at 1:44 PM
"the fear of the color yellow"! How could this be?! Lovely poem, Andrea.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2017 at 2:03 PM
Wonderful! She needs to stay out of the sun!
Capitano Avatar
May 28, 2016 at 1:58 PM
Amazing!!! Love the way you created frenzy as you raced to the end. Brilliant.
Shank Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 5:35 PM
Interesting on so many levels. Gives a lot to ponder about. Evoking emotion.
Roper Avatar
October 16, 2015 at 3:01 PM
Congratulations on your win, Andrea , a 7!!
A  Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Andrea, Nice to see you on John's winning list. Congratulations on your win. ** Love SKAT
Allison Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 4:12 AM
Dropping back with my congrats Andrea:-) hugs Jan xx
A. Sharma Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 1:55 AM
Congrats on superb win Andrea with this wonderful write!
Tor Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 12:53 AM
Andrea excellent win!!!!!!!!!!
Walker Avatar
October 14, 2015 at 8:43 PM
Wow, another challenge you have excelled in. I don't know how you can do this, having words going down in alphabet and yet have it make sense. Excellent and what a weird phobia.
Lawless Avatar
October 14, 2015 at 7:49 PM
Andrea....Andrea....you don't know how glad I am to see your name on the winners list. The idea of such a phobia is really awful. The poem is not. Thanks for continuing to enter the contest.
Richards Avatar
October 13, 2015 at 4:31 PM
A phobia of yellow ~???!!! What a unique theme you chose, but how well it works!! Good luck !!
Sergi Avatar
October 12, 2015 at 1:28 PM
Beautufully done, Andrea. Especially in reverse. I have a phobia for writing ABC'S. I have problems finding words that start with X
La France Avatar
October 12, 2015 at 8:55 AM
Andrea, you have penned a great write for the challenge and what a challenge, but you mastered it, I love it 7, and thanks for visiting my poem, classical music... it is said that classical music opens your brain or something like that, so I listen to classical when writing a poem ...
Trifiatis Avatar
October 12, 2015 at 8:29 AM
Oh, God, being Greek I feel that should ask forgiveness for introducing all phobia words. No, I am not a phobia phobic or have any other phobias like agoraphobia or gynophobia, thanks God for the last one! However, I have to say that I have enjoyed this reverse ABC ( ZYX) writing. My admiration for the result is expressed with a simple 7! Well done, Andrea, very beautiful Greek name by the way! Ha-ha!
Tor Avatar
October 11, 2015 at 9:49 PM
Andrea excellent entry. Greatest luck in contest.
Muzzey Avatar
October 11, 2015 at 7:51 PM
Beautiful Andrea, a prize to behold. The looks to be a difficult write but you have mastered it. Enjoyed the read~ Caryl
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 11, 2015 at 6:56 PM
Andrea, this poem is so cleverly written. You shed light on a subject that is unusual and sad. It is amazing how you were able to arrange your words smoothly into this difficult form. Brava! #7
Godwin Avatar
October 11, 2015 at 6:29 PM
You did an amazing job, a great effort, Andrea, and a success. Every line and thought ties beautifully and most poetically together ... CayCay
Allison Avatar
October 11, 2015 at 5:05 PM
gosh it must be awful to suffer from a phobia such as this:-( great ABC good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
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