Home » Poems » Best » Joshua Zack » Best Joshua Zack Poems

Best Poems Written by Joshua Zack

Below are the all-time best Joshua Zack poems as chosen by PoetrySoup members

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

The Dancing Sijo Butterfly

The aching wings of the butterfly did quiver delicately.
How with such immortal beauty do you escape my grasp?
Alas my sordid fingers could never uphold such grace.

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

The Breakup

Waiting. The minutes groan arduously.
Somehow, perhaps – my heart fails to beat
with the rush of your momentary attention.
Perched precariously on spikes
Flesh colored, yet artificial – 
Manikin fingers, fidgeting.
Mournfully drenched in factious apology.
Our eyes meet briefly, then dart with bashfulness,
Choreographed precisely. 
Words uttered repetitively from wine stained lips 
Fill the tortuous silence – hesitantly.  
Your hollow ghost memory, porous and unsubstantial.

'We can work at this, ' you finally choke
An unfamiliar innocence, grasping -
Your voice childlike in its simplicity.
And for a second, I recognized that old stranger. 
I muster a skeptical nod – and smile limply, dismissively 
Fingering the rim of my glass. 
'And deceive ourselves with promises made before?'
I winced with audacity – impatient of your feeling,
As the words ripped your heart out clean.
You clear your throat in an effort to speak -
Those words never did surface...
My acid tongue, an all too familiar indulgence.

I raise hesitantly, your gaze fixated as I shrink.
A tormenting embrace, clothing saturated in your scent
Sodden with tears unshed.
Humoring your touch with finality – 
An unspoken understanding sneered behind the mask.
Face taunt with incomprehension, as sorrow squeezed out the substance.
I avoid the depths of my black dying heart, defiantly.
Anemic with reluctance – I usher the door
A smiling parody of phantom reminisce -
Poisonous and seductive. 
An enormous tear got away,
As you lay fragile and broken – bereft.


I’m sorry.

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

No Grievances Permitted

Spooling southward on shattered wing-
I ache to fold from life’s cruel sting! 
(I’d rather die, than say goodbye)
Because I can’t repent this suffering

(A reinvention of 'No Assembly Required')

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

Friends

Souls surface, scared and torn.
Fearful child, you were so wise.
Too precious for this filth,
Though every diamond came from muck.

Sadistic friend, your corruption
Knows no limits.
He who mocks with such venom
Poisons his own heart.

Crippled breath, you run here
In these veins,
A black opium, oh hidden puppeteer!

I suppose you have forgotten me

By now.

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

Tired

I used to think the night swallowed us, 
Took away our pain, and spat us out again
Whole, mended like a darned sock.
I used to say, go and rest now.
You’ll feel better in the morning, I promise.
Now, I keep repeating this contraction and expansion,
In, out. This dense fog, the light is distilled awfully.
I cannot lift my weary limbs, singed eyeholes protruding
From teary eyes, I shrink back to nothing.

Details | Joshua Zack Poem

Lies

Tell me a lie, close your eyes
Silent seducer.
This veneer is delicious,
But you're still as feral underneath.
I do not want perfection. 
You make being alive
Seem so easy.
None is more happier
Than the fool.