The Blush of Time

Dear Sir,

I

guess

I can’t stop.

I guess I can’t stop.

I can’t stop, I guess.

You can tell me to stop any time you want though.

You can tell me to stop.

I’ll make a resolution to not to be evil,

not to splinter even., even if my paint is really peeling,

no splinters,

no need to hurt anyone,

only the need to sit in the sun

knowing the comfort of a structure

a stamen, pistol,

bang-bang,

nectar, pollen, that can hold something or someone

and knowing that whatever state it’s in,

it’s still a flower blowing the day away.

If I fall over one day,

love really wants to, to fall over…

there are so many really awful, horrible things

I really want to say...but this is a

flower.

And a resolution. And it starts with the letter “R”

which has curves and legs

which means I have to try and stand firm

and not give in.

I’m rattling on because I don’t want to hurt anyone,

just sitting in the sun

knowing the comfort of a structure of a system that can hold everything.

I’m just rattling the bars of my little cage

and I hope you can meet me at Saxby’s.

Affectionately Yours,

And as always taking the blush of time to the end of its leash,

Phoebe

Are you Asleep?

…….?.................................are you asleep?

…….!

…….!?

…….?!

.!...!...?...?!!

…!………!!………..!!!

#$@*&!!!!!

…………………..$#%*&…………..!!!!

Lo

Ve

Li

Fe

Beauty.

……………………………..your eyes………………

Your eyes.

Phoebe Wilcox lives in eastern Pennsylvania. Some of her favorite things are John Banville novels, sushi, salamanders (as long as she doesn’t have to touch them; they have cute hands) and picking blueberries. Her novel, Angels Carry the Sun is pending publication with Lilly Press, and an excerpt from a second novel-in-progress has been published in “Wild Violet.” Recent and forthcoming experiments may be found in “The Chaffey Review,” “Emprise” “Shoots and Vines,” “The Battered Suitcase,” “The Linnet’s Wings,” “Calliope Nerve,” “Bartleby-Snopes,” “The Black Boot” and others. Her story, “Carp with Water in Their Ears,” published in “River Poets Journal” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Read more work from Phoebe Wilcox.