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conclusion
someone still likes
the way words
race across a page
like brazen insects
someone still marvels
at the magic and movement
of poetry
rhythms that challenge
and calm the heart
someone still respects
the simple music
of a single sonnet
so sweetly sounding
the reader whirls
in exhilaration
like a ballerina
in a sunlit room
now take the words
and make them twist
and turn and jump
and rise and fall
you are their master
their leader their captain
make them bow to your voice
make them cower and despise you
call you hateful names
curse your power
bind them up
in a choke hold
watch the blood
fill their faces
their tiny mouths
squealing in pain
then release them slowly
into the night
whispering your forgiveness
currying their favor
for you know
in their naked humility
in their confusion and fear
they are
after all
only words
"password"
mom was on "password" once
i saw a rerun of the program
the other day
on the game show channel
peter lawford
kept feeding her
bad clues
he looked at her
condescendingly
but i suspect
she was too entranced
by his bushy eyebrows
and sexy smile
to even notice
i didn't really like
his smirk
when she kept guessing wrong
and then
when his clue was "passion"
she giggled
he winced
i laughed out loud
sitting there
in my disheveled living room
rain pounding
on the awning
the dog asleep
on my lap
magazines piled high
at my feet
my mother's laughter
lighting the room
like a lovely luminous ghost
Vernon Waring's poetry has appeared in The Writer, The Iconoclast, Alabama School of Fine Arts Quarterly,
Midwestern University Quarterly, New Dimensions, and Anthology as well as on the Prairie Home Companion's Web site.
His light verse has been published in the Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia Daily News, and WRITE ON!! Poetry Magazette.
His short fiction and poetry have also been featured online in Ascent Aspirations Magazine. He resides in King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania.
Email: Vernon Waring
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