A woman who arrays herself
in white glitter — its dangerous deeds
and dazzling tang ,
moves among the Joshua trees
where ravens flare on the branch
like substitute flames on a bent
candelabrum.
I think of how you praise the salt surrogate
we set at our table. Oh! splendor of litany
as you lament:
A marketable sham,
all shadow no substance.
Nothing of the original sin
found in rock, kosher or sea,
nothing of the sting ( stimulating)
lips and libido,
and nothing ( Dear God) of lineage
traced to ancient roads
& serving customs ( in the sand)
with handmaidens and bread.
Nothing but a desert
in itself, this terrible shift of grain.
And so, Sweet Love, the temptation
you’ve shunned and shoved into the wilderness
is out there waiting for a soul.
A soul kiss
that will hook the tongue and make the palette
reliant on her;
once more, evermore — or what she fears most
never more
as she glides past the Jurassic bush
burning iridescent with its birds
and glances sideways at me.
Unequivocally
I ‘m the other woman
The wife. The saint. Her rival.
Oh Wendy,
What a perfect poem. I too have tossed that sparkling woman out the door
and have even turned a cold shoulder to the surrogate.
Your poem is unique and original. “Nothing of the original sin
found in rock, kosher or sea,” Oh woe is me.
This makes me understand the allure of the apple : )
I love the ingenuity of this weft and weave.
Splendid in its nuance, it is so wonderfully engaging!
You have a rare and grand gift.
sarah
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The reading is the bow on the package. So very glad to hear and read your work!
So very much enjoyed!!
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Hi Sarah
You kind words and enthusiasm toward this poem are so deeply appreciated!! I also am glad to hear you enjoyed the audio. Salt is addictive and has many good uses but health wise it causes high BP and other things. The salt substitute is never equal to the original so I had some fun with this one. I have given up salt myself and my partner uses the alternative. His reaction at first is what prompted this poem some time ago. Again, many thanks!
Take care!
Wendy
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Loved the poem and the reading Wendy. We still use salt, sparingly, but how I love Chinese salt or sweet and salt prunes.
Regards,
Maryse
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HI Maryse
So glad you enjoyed this one! Salt is a hard habit to break, so tasty! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions! I deeply appreciate them!
Take care,
Wendy
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