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ODE TO SARAH GRAVES (A.K.A. UNEXPECTED RETURN)
by Terry Olynik
Rank waters
Vibrate soundlessly.
Rats, matted and mute -
Their moist-haired bodies
Grappling frantically
Over boot laces,
Quicken my siren pulse.
Emaciated babies,
Scooped-up in the arms
Of hurried back alley peddlars,
Fill the air
With their high-pitched wails,
Drowning out
The expiring death rattles
Of the expendable.
I stumble forward,
Through audiences
Of multi-hued limbs,
Dismembered and nestled
In the coagulating ground scab -
The sharp crunch
Of stained-glass underfoot.
My eyes
Slowly begin to distinguish
The dying scenes about me.
The harsh taste of sulphur
Penetrates my pores.
Dripping dew is,
As always,
Tinged with blood anemic.
A far-off stereo plays bachata.
I cannot help but smile.
I am home.
08/18/2005 Author's Note: I have a large collection of rather dark verse written at a time (university), when such exposition was a defacto literary genre. Readings of several of Ms.Graves poems (who apparently carries on the university custom, amped-up several notches) have emboldened me to introduce a poem or two in a darker vein, which I must confess, still feels most natural. With your permission Sarah, (actually without), I have included you in the title and dedicate this poem to you. Please don't change your sardonic self.
Posted on 08/19/2005
Copyright © 2025 Terry Olynik
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jim Benz on 08/19/05 at 07:02 PM I think dark verse is fine, though in writing it one has to be extra vigilant about cliche and over used perspective, but I think you've succeeded well here. Just as a note: I think a lot of your "ing" verbs would be more effective in this poem if you transformed them to their immediate tense. Now I have to go check out Sarah Graves! |
| Posted by Sarah Graves on 08/31/05 at 03:52 AM This is right up my alley, dark with brutal details. Amazing imagery here, that you convey to the reader. And thank you for the dedication, and the title.. you really made my day Terry :) This is so eloquently written, great read. Take care. |
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