God’s Hard Bolt
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Since Charles has crossed the mountain, now he will
Not see the cherry blossoms in the spring.
He took me to the Mall but now the spill
Of cherry petals as they pinkly fling
Themselves to death will not be seen by him.
If God, omnipotent and in control,
Is smiling, having accomplished His whim,
I’m unimpressed. I doubt He has a soul.
He waited till my man was swimming in
The Shenandoah River, saw His chance,
And zapped him lightning-wise for every sin
That he’d committed, like that kicked-heels dance
He did when he was feeling carefree, glad,
And silly. That is why God made me sad.
~ sonnet by Phillip Whidden