Clipped Affection
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
I want to return to the flower
and from the flower
to my heart.
Are you going, love?
Farewell!
(To my abandoned heart!)
~ Lorca, “Return” (“Recodo”)
My love for Charles was always chaste, no juice
From anywhere except the heart and mind.
No flowers, though, but just a bonsai spruce,
A longing, little crippled tree refined
By cruel restraint. The roots of love require
Attention if the pruning of the limbs
Is harsh as ours was. You may use hard wire
To stunt. Unnecessary synonyms
(Religion and philosophy) you cut
Away if they become a threat. Stick strong
To love and love alone. The tiny strut,
The moveless strut is aimed for all along.
Yes, friendships fill two shallow bowls — though wide.
A shapeliness will give a lavish glide.
~ Phillip Whidden
by phillipw | Jul 23, 2024 | BO, CH, FR, LO, ST, UN |