Parabola Tango
by Bill Yarrow
Once in a fit of pique
she poured vinegar
on the anniversary roses
which withered in his seeing. In
retribution, he became incontinent.
That made her, she who misunder-
stood love, love him more, and him,
he who misunderstood marriage,
respect her less. Is there a recipe for
lasting happiness? Look, perhaps, to
applesauce. The apples of attraction.
The sugar of indulgence. The water of
conduction. Everything improves over
time. Everything. Everything in the world.
Except the orphaned garden.
Except the consolidated body.
Except last week's fruit.
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Author's Note
This poem appeared in DIAGRAM 9.6
Changed the title from "She Who Misunderstood Love" (title of published version) to "Parabola Tango."
[with advice from Sam Rasnake. Thanks, Sam!]
The poem appears in Pointed Sentences (BlazeVOX, 2012).
Other stories by Bill Yarrow
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Nice ending. Good piece.
Love it. Everything improves over time.... except everything we've been talking about.
applesauce. attraction, indulgence, conduction. I liked sequence also.
Well done. Like the line, "Is there a recipe for lasting happiness?"
I did like this, faved it and all, but that first line gave me a visual ...
John Belushi, standing in the back of a cafeteria, hands cupped to the sides of his mouth, yelling, "Pique fight!"
Maybe it's just me, but I was compelled to pass that on.
Bill, very insightful, enjoyed reading.
'Tis true, nothing material lasts, and nothing ephemeral is destroyed. Bill, came back today after an absence and found you here plugging away. It is becoming a constant in my reading.
some things never improve over time. Wish it could be.
You are a damn good dancer, Bill. Star.
Agree with Jack, and add that you know many moves that take my breath away. Glad I caught this. *
AGH! This is so great.
My stomach clenched and twitched while reading: "That made her, she who misunder-
stood love, love him more, and him,
he who misunderstood marriage,
respect her less. "
Sorry I haven't commented lately. So many stories to find yours!
* it comments itself
/perfect conduction and quality/
A poem brimming with fresh ideas, and embracing original language: *.
Loved this. Great pacing and of course the end is perfect.
This is great. Loved the "piss and vinegar" start to this...
*
You admirably captured the marriage trap so many fall into with: "That made her, she who misunderstood love, love him more, and him, he who misunderstood marriage,
respect her less."
And the ending - wow. Peace...
Love this.