Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Drawing by Linda Imbler
Insensate
A distracted, harried woman on her way to work,
collided with a truck,
now an ersatz depiction of a sleeping woman,
amid tubes and drips she lies.
She concentrates on the doctor’s light,
she knows it is important.
On the outside, appearance is insensate,
“Brain-dead,” the diagnosis.
An autistic Navajo child,
he has never laughed, spoken nor cried.
Present at the tribe’s nightly dance,
“Poor kid doesn't even know his own name.”
He concentrates on the firelight,
he knows it is important.
On the outside, appearance is insensate,
His eyes lock with an image at the center of the flame.
An orchid in a greenhouse tucked amid blooms of gladiolas,
full of color and fragrance, useful for formal events,
giving pleasure when viewed,
but it won't interact or are we just confused?
It concentrates on the sunlight,
it knows it is important.
It shows a smiling countenance, lifts, grows strong.
On the outside, appearance is insensate,
“You can't carry on a conversation with a flower.”
How little regard some have,
for that which they judge unfeeling.
How fragile the connection, the understanding,
for that which they feel is incognizant.
Judgement from such disregarding minds and hearts,
surely, from God’s point of view, is insensate.
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Thank you to Editor Jerry Langdon of Raven Cage Zine for publishing these two pieces.
Thoughts in Saffron
The crown of the sun king,
regal austerity sent our way bearing heat and light.
Amber perceived shine within drips of rain
reflects glory upon cowslips and corn.
Whiffs of sulphur
set off cautionary alarms
from which we will distance ourselves.
The bouquet of nectar,
and honey’s candied scent,
embodied as bumblebee beacons.
Precious coins earned,
a living wage,
gentles later golden years.
Upon the yellow brick road,
yellow taxis helmed by drivers
with flaxen topped heads,
follow our directions
toward the brass ring
holding our best choices.
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