by phillipw | Mar 26, 2020 | AN, GR, SC
An Infestation of Falsely Colored Barnacles on Thighs Like painted barnacles on bronzes from An ancient sea, our encrustations on Ideas from distant times and cultures come Between us and those statues from the dawn Of civilization. The Aegean As an emblem holds the...
by phillipw | Mar 21, 2020 | AN, GR
Primal Hymns “Though we are seldom certain that a text is accurate, though we cannot approach its sound, invent its musical accompaniment and ceremonial, join the general audience . . ., or affirm that something that is said is literally true, we do...
by phillipw | Mar 21, 2020 | AN, GR, PO, SA
Seance from Vellum “When we listen to the verse phrases and whole poems that have made that hard journey through time, space and language, … we are enthralled as much by what we cannot know as by what we hear.” ~ Michael Schmidt, The First Poets We read...
by phillipw | Mar 18, 2020 | AN, GR, SO, TR
He Won More Victories, With Hammering More Hard . . . and Better The greatest playwright of them all loved boys. https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/collection/13481 Competitors loved prostitutes. Their whores Were high-class (mostly). Still their slippery joys...
by phillipw | Mar 12, 2020 | AU, GR, MO
The Rim Falls written on the edge of orange leaves, Upon the curling crest of surfer’s waves, On Violetta’s lashes as she grieves, The falling salt of love, salt eyes by graves— Are stunning all. They lame the heart and lung, These autumns peer...
by phillipw | Feb 15, 2020 | GR, HE
[I suggest you read the title and then skip the bible verses and read just the sonnet below them. Then read the bible verses and re-read the poem.] Wound The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood ~ Joel 2:31...