Chatoyant

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem 

In life too often purples cover red

The way an octopus engulfs its prey.

The octopus imbibes the victim, head

First.  Shockingly this turns the world to gray

Sea rubble.  Other times the red is supped

By black the way a panther eats the blood

Of baboon hearts.  This end of life, abrupt

And stunning, turns the upshot into crud.

Too seldom white envelopes red with lips

Of purity.  The white goes kissing down

The scarlet body till white finds the hips

And sends a shuddering thrill too much like frown.

  The gypsy sings her song and looks askance.

    The saints and heroes must avoid her trance.

~ Phillip Whidden

by phillipw | Apr 14, 2025 | DY | 0 comments