CRYPT open to the air, the stench of
FLESH and blood and death clouds the horizon,
POISED to sow the seeds for a field full of
POPPY and heartache.
Author: Steven Robertson
Ambition
SHEER surface waters hewn by a longship,
ROWER exchanges his oars for axe and shield.
DRIER days ahead, and new glory: a
CINCH to gain the jarl’s eye––and gifts.
Investigation
FRISK the papers like a suspect hiding a
DATUM instead of contraband or weapons: somewhere, a
PHOTO, a transcript, something to justify a
STIFF back and an incessant headache.
Gambler’s Fallacy
JOKER discarded from the new deck whose
LASSO of plastic detritus lies on the table, now picks a
TOOTH of an absentminded player who forsook the slot’s
CRANK hours before.
Crawl
GROIN to crown, the pain dances a
POLKA, like ice skaters that
GLIDE across cutting blades and leaves you to
CRAWL in debilitating shame.
Close Shave
BUSHY conflagration on Horeb’s
PATIO, the avenging angel’s close
SHAVE (thanks to Zipporah)––not to
WORRY, He’s on your side, Moses.
Ain’t Just a River
CURVE of the Nile, each bank
REEDY and good for camouflage:
START the little ark’s journey––its passenger’s
VOICE will bring down an empire.
Adhesive
VOCAL and nagging, your fears
PRESS into your heart like a
DECAL, smoothing out the bubbles with
GUSTO.
Closing
CLICK the last pen in place, eyes that
SHONE with tears drying with the signature’s ink.
PLANK and tile, carpet and shingle: coworkers in
ART, SYnonymous with love.
Ice Storm
CHILI eaten by the light of
TAPER and flashlight assuages the
MOODY made so by the unelectric cold who
SWILL hot chocolate and dream of heat.