She let me add Those trumpets opened, The morning glories were I hated the red I loved the delicate flowers I liked the blues, asked Every morning is like her: But she was too dainty to I should have
a climbing vine
to her garden.
the blue flowers
in my every morning,
that yet still, today,
cry for sun.
twisted around the fence –
the blue flowers were
our only compromise, because
crinkly marigolds
or whatever
the easy hardy ones were.
I hated the woody geraniums –
too tough.
like her.
if we could plant a morning glory
as beautiful as her.
beautiful and elegant
blue climbing
climb higher that mortal trellis,
live longer than
a twist of fate.
grown her with thorns
prickly but strong,
made her an immortal rose, but
I could not.
—- Douglas Gilbert
(Henry Le Châtelier)
Archive for July, 2008
Morning Glory
One Pass Mountain Without Snow
I passed a smile on the street that grew She smiled in my direction Yet she smiled into I hung up Loneliness rings in my ears My phone is death. I postpone answering. I’ve long passed, but I run back to help, She smacks me in the face. Loneliness is good sometimes, but
like a bubble I wanted to save
carelessly seducing a stranger
a cell phone
her disembodied love
on my pending flirt
I hear her scream,
“Bastard! Who is she…
We’re done…”
to commiserate
“Buzz off creep,” she cries.
I’d rather have a phone
if
connected.
—- Douglas Gilbert
(Henry Le Châtelier)
The Turn Of The Song
I have a song. I am dismayed They make notes They are like cats In my dreams, I But I awake to To be eaten
composing music for glory
when everyone
hates my tone
my gin and tonic sorrow
to hate me profoundly
when I sing like a bird
can sing and dance
lions’ prowling hunger, to
impending death for this
lamb whose stomach growls
is unpleasant.
—- Douglas Gilbert
(Henry Le Châtelier)
Gas Station Owner
The detectives took the swabs Gasoline only earns us hate. Cookies and crackers The kid My wife The detectives took the swabs Put up a sign:
made the photos. We’re
allowed to wash the blood
off the gas pumps
The kid didn’t come in,
took the day off (too scared)
made us
a little money –
customers think
we’re evil rich
didn’t show up for the night shift.
thought her smile
would have to work
like lightning
on an angel food cake,
candles on a birthday sale
made the photos. I’m
allowed to wash the blood
off the gas pumps
closed for funeral
—- Douglas Gilbert
(Henry Le Châtelier)
