Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Zouave Ghost at Antietam Creek, 2010

Across the wispy creek with vast fingers of mist all grasping
and braiding the twisted boughs whose leafless remorse
looks moonward to expose a stare at pitted metal rasping
and blankly downward on a slowly moving reflective course,

where perfect steel reports echo and pierce again a perfect day,
the muscles that no longer ache shimmer beneath the tatters
of once buttoned epaulets over an open jacket's scarlet fray
in moving mist both blue and grey where flesh has ceased to matter.

With no lost home warmth longing in winter snow to pretend to
it wanders adrift in memory's aching realm along the lonely banks
with no needs from its drained and scattered flesh to attend to
searching in vain in the moonlit mist for its blasted missing ranks.

If it turned to grin the beige chill would freeze your core:
those hollow eyes that once saw yellow now see no more.

8 comments:

  1. Gorgeously haunted and haunting. It is interesting that these historic places are inspiring sonnets.

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  2. @Megan: Yes, I don't know what's gotten into me. I think it's because I am trying to write 'about' something external. My usual 'secret' process has been disrupted. I am not even sure if I like these. I don't have enough distance yet to judge but I am beginning to feel slightly less embarrassed by their essential 'corniness'.

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  3. I like the careful crafting of your lines. I look forward to reading much more by you. - bill

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  4. @beginningpoetry: Thanks for the read. Regards, Gerry.

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  5. love the relaxing pace in your word flow.
    super creepy and beautiful work.

    If it turned to grin the beige chill would freeze your core:
    those hollow eyes that once saw yellow now see no more.

    fabulous ending. love the rhymes.

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  6. Greetings, how are you today?
    we are so happy to have you at our potluck and thanks a bunch for the sweet contribution. Your involvement means a lot to us.
    Any poem is acceptable, simply share and enjoy...
    week 11 is open, hope to see you in.
    xoxox

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  7. I love-love this piece. And not just because of beige.

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  8. @Jingle: thanks a bit

    @Willow: thx. I've been shamelessly frugal with the beige lately.

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Yes?