What Escapes

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

It’s not so much a thought that disappeared

Before you caught it, like a butterfly

That flew away, or like a love that sheered

Away, that disappeared, became a sigh

And nothing more in echo chambers blank

Of sound.  It’s more like poetry that hides

Its meaning or its meanings, thought that sank

Beyond retrieval like the slaughtered brides

In cities razed by Alexander, lost

Before they knew the thrill of spearing lust

From grooms, or like a window’s lace-like frost

The cruel sun kills, Desdemona’s trust.

  The perfect stanza promises to come

     But leaves your twanging brain a silent hum.

~ Phillip Whidden