In the Garden of the Asylum
I have watched from my window the foliage
wither then leisurely fall from these trees,
often sat beneath gazing up through
their emaciated limbs imagining God had
thrown me a ladder.
In the garden of the asylum, leaves are
left to decay, growing stiff with dreams of
being swept away; only the watchful remain,
cursing the wind, pleading for stillness.
Black Water
Say the word and I shall become
a photograph;
phosphorescence in the black water
of your memory,
glimmering,
then gone.
Café Hummel, Vienna
She insists on paying separately,
although she has just dined alone;
the unoccupied seat across from her
poker-faced to her verbal onslaught.
He regards me with my computer,
mutters something disapprovingly in
Wienerisch. I try to explain that it's
because I can't read the newspapers.
He explains he doesn't understand.
Perhaps better off talking to a chair.
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3 shorts poems from the archives, out to stretch their legs prior to any editing. The first goes out to my man Vinny Van G. The second goes out to any couple who has broken up while out on a night paddle in their kayaks, and the the third to any ex pats in Vienna's 8th district who have been frowned upon for using a laptop in a cafe when clearly 'Kronen Zeitung' is more acceptable.
* Very nice work, Neil.
A fine triptych.
Really like all three of these, but especially love "In the Garden of the Asylum."*
Really like all three, but am partial to the last one for sure. "*"
I liked the middle one the best, the idea of someone becoming a photograph.
The first one stood out for me. Fine, thoughtful work, all three.*
Three fine poems. The one that struck me the most was Black Water, but the feelings of stillness, absence and desire in all of them make them work great as a triptych. You might consider playing with the order. I personally like Cafe Hummel, Vienna to start, then In the Garden of the Asylum, and ending with Black Water... just an idea. *
Loved the lines, "phosphorescence in the black water/of your memory." Very nice piece overall.
Masterful work, especially "Black Water".*
My favorite's the first one. Found myself empathizing with the poor damned leaves. *
Ha! Thanks everyone for sharing thoughts and preferences!
*, Neil. Three remarkable poems. I particularly like the first. It is wonderful.
Black water. ***
"God had thrown me a ladder"
Damn!
*
Thanks Bud, Tara and David.
A fave for each.***
I especially like the second one.
These are beautiful, especially the first -- the way the sounds of the word echo each others syllables and assonance. And the imagery in all three of them -- so vivid. Really fine.
Thanks for picking up on the details there Phillip. Cheers everyone.