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Relentless Scourge
by Alison McKenzieThe incessant, metallic mesh -
Locust wings
Rubbing in the dark humidity
Of this backward part of
Northeastern America
Makes my teeth ache,
Makes my nerves twitch
And jitter.
I try to remember
Why I’m here.
It’s not the bedroom,
The distance
Between our fragrant dreams;
The nothing that replaced
Those first few sprinklings
Of magic and hope.
It’s not the child
You rarely see,
Or the ache of missing her
That made you take those pills.
It's not the similarities,
Those broken synchronicities
That I can't seem
To reassemble.
I try to remember
The kindness in your eyes,
My desire for you to stay, but
You
Explored other possibilities,
Kept them hidden from me
In your cigarette breaks
And notes written
On the back of a receipt,
And walks taken for nothing
While she slipped into your pockets –
You
Forgot why I’m here,
Forgot that other eyes might see
And mention their curiosity
At the familiarity
Of a public kiss –
You
Rail and plead and shed
Salty regret
While the insistent rub
Of that devastating insect
Rings like torture
In my ears,
And makes a song
I, apparently,
Won’t soon forget.
09/07/2012 Author's Note:
Posted on 09/07/2012
Copyright © 2024 Alison McKenzie
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Joe Cramer on 09/07/12 at 10:23 AM ... brilliant..... |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 09/07/12 at 07:08 PM Beautiful poem. With all the frustration it demonstrates there is still a certain resignation, and in that resignation...some hope. And, oh, the "salty regret" that's nut of it. Delighted. Thanks. |
| Posted by A. Paige White on 09/08/12 at 05:05 PM Oh my God, Ali. You've never written a more powerful poem. You create the sounds of those wings for us to hear with your words and a mournful keen it is. I am so sorry. Your words convey so much pain here. I am so sorry. |
| Posted by Rhiannon Jones on 09/08/12 at 06:18 PM Jarring, incisive, so very evocative. This poem really hurt to read. Beautifully expressed. |
| Posted by Mo Couts on 09/09/12 at 12:42 AM This poem slapped me across the face and stabbed me with your pain. So much emotion was evoked here, a poem well done, a reflection of your current state, that you are absolutely 'in'. Beautiful, like you. |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 09/09/12 at 02:39 PM I agree with Mo. Excellent work Ali. This piece vibrates with pain...humanity Only the excellent poetics help numb the sorrow while at the same time conveying it. |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 09/10/12 at 12:44 PM *****STELLAR***** |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 09/10/12 at 12:55 PM Not only is this Outstanding and Well-Framed, Evocative and Well Written,it is one of your strongest, Memorable,Vivid and Brilliant works I have ever read.It reads with an outstanding Flow that pours straight from your heart, Alison.This is the creative expression of real, authentic poetry that touches the souls of others. |
| Posted by Laurie Blum on 09/12/12 at 04:24 PM Ahhh fragrant dreams! You sure know how to put these thoughts into words! Applause!! Love it.
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| Posted by George Hoerner on 09/12/12 at 05:47 PM Certainly is a noteworthy number one write. Very well done Alison. |
| Posted by Ken Harnisch on 09/14/12 at 01:13 PM Searingly honest, Alison, delivered in poetry whose language testifies to the depth of the offense, that done and that felt. |
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