Louise Myers
1896-1917
They shot the Archduke,
And my eyes closed in disbelief;
They sank the Lusitania,
And my heart palpitated.
My friend, this world reels and tumbles and faints,
Lost in endless crises and disasters;
Aghast at the senseless violence and mayhem.
The War To End War commenced,
As I terminated this futile existence,
With a loud curse and a silent prayer;
This leaping lunge into the death ditch!
Once, I secretly applied lipstick,
Unbeknownst to my firm-minded father,
And joyously kissed myself in the mirror.
Oh Narcissus,
Be my lover now!
For the world reels and stumbles and disintegrates,
And I have made this last leaping lunge,
This hysterical thoughtless leaping lunge,
Down, down into the deep death ditch!
Unmasked, that gorgeous ghostly sight.
White pumpkins on verdant vines.
Reflections glowing in sunlight.
Awaits awesome designs.
Either happy face or spook,
Imagination free.
The archduke passes by fluke.
What a sight he did see!
Orphans in the pumpkin patch,
Paint brushes in each hand.
Squiggly hair and lips to match.
The artistry was grand.
A sign beside the pumpkins –
Come get one; it is free!
Artist and receiver wins.
The day is filled with glee.
© November 6, 2011
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: "What No Orange Pumpkin"
Sponsored by: Carol Brown
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