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the scarlet fever at your hipbones

by Steven Kenworthy



they have poisoned all the vessels
we are forced to use our muscles.


walking the plank is the new
falling for you,
everything is in the harbor and
i
am on my way.



hair once perfectly parted repunzeled
in length to spare the rope
knotted up shoulders and nice limbs rough hands
i support you in the warmth of midwest snow
white rain in the fall seven wharves comes
pink leaves crushed beneath plymouth rocking
chairs couches and velvet language.



she is speaking slowly
posture bending and
i
am pacing the sea.




they sank the Mary Rose and i rise up on you.




i will play the axe that brings the hammer and nails
thru nervous floorboards english channels
french television north star
you want the gorgeous east and the deck is splinter gifting
perfect teeth in rows of tall furniture and sleepy pearls
comatose thunder is salt hot lightning.


i have listed constellations and you are staring at the sky.
slipping traction,
starving knives and scarlet fever
at your hips.




08/15/2011

Author's Note: can you feel it behind your lungs

Posted on 08/15/2011
Copyright © 2024 Steven Kenworthy

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Angela Stevens on 08/15/11 at 07:41 PM

Wow. Rich imagery and a title that had me hooked.

Posted by Mo Couts on 08/16/11 at 03:23 AM

Wow...this drew me in and held me; this is amazing.

Posted by Laurie Blum on 08/16/11 at 02:28 PM

Powerful! A true Kenworthy if I might say so. Love the Mermaid title ALOT!!

Posted by Sarah Wolf on 08/17/11 at 02:25 AM

Great layout and description. Creates lovely imagery the way you are so vague as to let the mind fill in where it wants to... while still leading the mind to potent hints of pleasure. A brilliant technique.

Posted by Colleen Sperry on 08/18/11 at 11:43 AM

enjoyed reading this Steven. . the title is great!

Posted by A. Paige White on 08/19/11 at 08:13 PM

sighs.... another wonderful one, Worthy.

Posted by Frankie Sanchez on 08/20/11 at 05:56 PM

yes. thank you. you had me "plymouth rocking chairs".

Posted by Jolie Jordan on 08/25/11 at 11:35 PM

Damn this is some good $#%@.

Posted by Frankie Sanchez on 09/16/14 at 03:24 AM

yes.

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