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half lives
by Kristina Woodhilla three foot square patch of invisibility
black cat sits within, shifts, nose flares
magpie follows cat's reluctant departure
magpie hops, hopes, beak poised
a three foot square patch of invisibility
matted grass, wisps of tattered leaves
a whiff, unable to leave, phantom lunch
ghostly bite of nourishment, appetizing
wind atomizing in half lives
lives chasing the next meal
meal filling the emptiness
emptiness smells so real
a small white house on the corner of 12th and Elgin
arthritic hands tend the wood stove
puff of smoke escapes inside, wrapping
around molasses cookie and stale snuff perfume
a small house on the heights of Prineville
sagebrush against pants' legs, wild horse kids
wet dog fur, wet nose nuzzle
fresh deer hanging in the garage
wind atomizing in half lives
lives chasing the next meal
meal filling the loneliness
loneliness smells too real
a small village along the Helmand
fresh naan from deep hot ovens in the bazaar
fresh human scat from deep dug trenches
pine needles brushed, lining dusty roads
a small white house along a dirt lane
white hyacinth and purple iris in spring
butterfly bush, rhubarb/strawberry pie in summer
chocolate chip cookies year round, y'all come!
wind atomizing in half lives
lives chasing the next meal
meal filling the memories
memories smell so real 02/03/2011 Posted on 02/03/2011
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 02/03/11 at 06:22 PM You do have a way with words and an obvious talent for painting a pifture with words. Great write |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 02/03/11 at 06:43 PM Most of us forget that there are many, many people out there who do spend much of their time chasing that next meal. Nice write lady. I knew a young woman who I believe still teaches Indian history at the Univ. of Cincinnati and she made 'naan' for a lamb curry meal years ago. |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 02/04/11 at 12:13 AM Excellent on many levels...and it made me hungry |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 02/10/11 at 08:59 AM Let's go....it would be quite the road trip, Thelma...love, Louise. |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 02/10/11 at 07:23 PM A common thread in quite different settings. There are some basic ways in which creatures great and small are the same. Great write as usual. |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 04/22/11 at 01:01 PM it is apparent Kristina, that you are surrounded by nature for you write so crisp and ardently on the subject. It seems to nourish you in the best of terms. I on the other hand am enmeshed in an asphalt jumble and am trying my best to transcend it as much as words will permit me to do. I am malnourished and starving for the kind of nature you live and thrive so wonderfully in. |
| Posted by John Stevens on 07/23/11 at 11:15 PM Enjoyable read Kristina. Thanks |
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