Epigrams of Imaginary Flowers

a broad-limbed
 melancholy dude
 carries a pocketknife)
 thinks eternal thoughts
 indifferent to the fact that
 nothing’s happening

 a sunflower rises in an empty doorway
 the sea is disorganized
 the mermaid’s a false intention
 she’ll come over him
 in a tin cup
 indicating death
 a red insect on a hill
 flutters in a glass jar
 a round, full-throated vision
 darker than bark
 along the lines of a sallow birch tree

 a light is on inside the cave
 the moon is in a state of grace
 its wings are fastened on a doorstep
 the cypress could have been different once
 before he grew accustomed to the world

 a word, a vein of thunder 
 its pitch covers the soil
 of carparks and highway falcons
 reaches with piano arms 
 moves faster than a talking bird
 back when birds were all the rage 
 like epigrams of imaginary flowers

 the interstate is over
 the generation is booming
hails a taxi with a flashlight
 asks the dude for change

13 thoughts on “Epigrams of Imaginary Flowers

  1. There are good poems and well worth the effort in their making. You are obviously so passionate and empathetic, that this poem just ring with genuine but controlled emotion. It is absolutely perfect.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much. I changed that line several times before it became “epigrams of imaginary flowers”. (At the time I was listening to “Imaginary Lover” by Atlanta Rhythm Section, which is where it came from.) I’m happy you like it.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. “Reaches with piano arms”…such a good line. Piano arms, the song and wit necessary to reach what needs to be reached. And “the cypress could have been different once before he grew accustomed to the world” is so good. The moon shining on our doorstep, sometimes we wonder how things might have been different if we hadn’t gotten so used to how things are…

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Your poem made me think of Allen Ginsberg’s poem, Sunflower Sutra.
    Your image reminds me of him too.

    As usual, there are so many delicious lines, but these two made me pause and think of many things, including how “the world” influences people-away from their/our true natures~

    “the cypress could have been different once
    before he grew accustomed to the world”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think they’re two of the most meaningful lines in the poem, too. And I love the comparison to Sunflower Sutra. I went through a pretty big Ginsberg phase a few years ago. Now, I may want to go back and reread that one. Thank you, as always, for the wonderful feedback!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are most welcome. I love that I connected to your most meaningful lines. 🥰 I haven’t read Ginsberg’s poem in many years, but his title came to me when I read yours. I do remember enough to know they are different, but I am sure some similarities can be drawn.

        Liked by 1 person

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