Bitter Fruits (a Golden Shovel)

Another try at a Golden Shovel. I was able to relax with these words a bit more. (See below.)

Marbles Were a Fun Game, Once

Bitter Fruits
after “Mountain” by Clifton Gachagua

            (line used: grief saddled in my back like a bag of marbles)

In the garden where I once pressed tomato seeds into dirt, grief
flourishes, sprouting up with open arms, saddled
onto this stiff body carrying me from bed to bed. In
barren lands, I hunt for my former self—before tears bullied my
desires, saturated my confidence, forced me back
to sodden sighs that confiscate my days. Like
a rabid fruit bat, fooling me into believing a
lie, you flitted from one innocent bug to the next, displaying your bag
of trophies dangling like a fig tree, pulsing of
seduction. Me, a game you play like that old forgotten game of marbles.

* * * * *

Tanka For Two (A Somonka)

Still Photographs

You rise every
day, my face in your pocket,
rubbing flesh red, raw.
I’m a sore spot you can’t feel.
I’m a prize you don’t dare keep.

You pushed me away,
greedy wants, needs, and wishes.
No me left to give.
I dream of you in black-and-
white. You’re my little secret.


*****