Cemetery in Malvern by Doug Shaver
Mirage
They say heat leaves your body
through the top of your head.
But you’ve capped it,
rested a shaped rock over the opening
posing as tight knit.
You’ve wrestled the story’s center to ground,
captured weak bones. Wreaked broken
tales and long muddled histories that keep
traveling no matter how you ignore
them — cowering in the cemetery –
as if you were playing craps with your last
paycheck or crouching behind a fence
to light stolen smokes.
The heat leaves your body and escapes
gesture by gliding as mirage.
Heat waves distort and shroud
intent. They leave behind a shell game,
empty thoughts disguised as talk
between those who know little
of themselves and nothing of anyone else.
* * *
This is a strange response to this week’s Read Write Poem image. It’s certainly dark, and I don’t expect anyone to particularly enjoy it.
I think the heat’s gotten to me, leaving mad marks on my mind. And on the page. I’ve written a lot of melted poetry this week. (Look around for the last couple of posts if you want. They are not scary.) Let’s a hope for a cool down and soon!
Find other responses to the prompt here. And be sure to check back with Read Write Poem on Friday for the unveiling of wonderfulness. And a kick-butt prompt for a wonderful poet!
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If this is “melted,” it’s meant to be. Wonderful job. A fun read and flow. Perfect take and impression that complements this photo
Thanks, Bobbie. I’m glad you liked it.
This poem is rad
Wow. Thanks, Noah. And glad to see you here.
I did enjoy this, Deb. Your manipulation of sound is wonderful. And those final lines are so powerful.
Oh, thanks, Nathan.
I agree with Nathan–the sounds are marvelous.
And the whole concept of heat is perceptive and intriguing, esp. “Heat waves distort and shroud / intent.”
(I’d be more than happy to send you our rain!)
Thanks, Angie. I really like working with sound in poems. So I’m glad you guys hear them.
I’ll take some rain!
Hello Deb,
This is dark but I do like the last stanza; ‘empty thoughts disguised as talk …’.
Infact I like dark a lot.
Dark pieces seem to bring out the best in us..
don’t forget to get my cigars
Oh, I’m glad Gautami. And I tend to agree.
I also like how you use the heat in your poem. The last stanza is really nice especially the observation about empty thoughts and conversation.
Thanks, James. I thought it ended kind of soon, or abruptly, so I’m glad to hear this.
I don’t know as I would call it strange. I find it fascinating.
Thanks, Mark!
Well, I enjoyed it. I like the focus on the heat leaving the body…
Thanks, Erin. The faces seemed like mirages .. and it went from there.
Wow ~ love the ending! Brutal.
Oh, good, Claire. Yay.
Deb, the truth is slippery like a mirage and your poem mirrors that.
Oh my God. What a terrific poem.
Oh. Dale. Thank you. A bunch.
Oh, nice interpretation Irene. I like that!
I like your take on the blurring of the faces. It’s also so interesting to focus on the caps, such a significant and simple detail.
Thanks, Jessica. Glad you like the cap-focus. It helped add dimension, I think.
Wreaked broken
tales and long muddled histories that keep
traveling no matter how you ignore
them-
This line really stood out for me because everyone has their muddled histories that keep traveling with them no matter what. I wish one could shake some of this history from their shoulders and see what it’s like to unburden themselves.
They leave behind a shell game,
empty thoughts disguised as talk
between those who know little
of themselves and nothing of anyone else.
These are powerful lines as well. They say to me pretending doesn’t work. Great poem. Have a wonderful day.