Uncertain Omens on a Dry Pond, Georgia Farm with American Beauty Berries

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

Aunt Ruby turns the light on in the room

And suddenly the garden twilight burns

To darkness.  This is like an empire’s doom

Is signalled in a distant province, turns

The emperor to melancholy mind

And causes candelabras’ growing dim.

Imperial his heart moves towards the blind

Clairvoyant who stirs and chants a grim

But whispered message made of voile-veiled vowels

And secret syllables.  She fails to grasp

The meaning but is glad no scarlet howls

Come out and prophecy omits a gasp.

  Aunt Ruby settles in a rocker on

    Her porch and contemplates the red clay lawn.