Nocturne with a Line after Kees
I close my eyes and see nothing but rain.
And after, take pity
for what turns beyond sight: the wretched
flower, a hiss from the road. Last night the wind
stole sleep from my body,
leaving me alone, wordless, listening
for her next breath. An alchemist,
I transmute the memories of old wounds laid open.
*****
This first appeared in Ijagun Poetry Journal, in December 2013, and was posted here in December 2015.
At first I read “Nocturn with a Line after Knees,” and could not help but read it. Disappointed about the lack of knees, but not disappointed with the poem. Lovely.
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Now that’s a poem to write!
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I thought it was Knees too! I was looking forward to some profound poesy on the concept of the knee and have been denied. That is it! I’m calling the Metaphor Police! 🙂
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BTW: “I transmute the memories of old wounds laid open…” beautiful…
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Thank you!
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I wonder if Weldon Kees had that problem…
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Who knows what Kees did/would have thought of anything… sure would be nice if he hadn’t disappeared.
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Hauntingly beautiful poem.
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Thank you!
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Initially, I read ‘wind’ as ‘mind’ – which I thought serendipitous 🙂
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Well, it is rather drafty in there. 😀
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Loud laughter
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So much said with so few words. Every pause perfectly timed. Really beautiful.
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Thank you, Robert. And congratulations on your publication in The Lake!
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Niiiiiiice.
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Thank you!
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