The Parent Tree

      It was in singing that he first 
      Knew that worsening was not worst.
      His father's large disappointed face 
      Tickled him inarticulate with terror 
5     Until he forged, 
      Below sharp time, 
      Monster suns of images. 
      Invented heaven has a charm: litter
      Of apostles, magenta trees that dissolve 
10    As vapor, where golden sparrows sing 
      And do not sink. He thought 
      One wanted seeming, 
      An altered 
      Strangled attitude of bird. 
15    A harsh man's countenance wavered 
      In ocean distortions of the moon. 
      The kneeling son felt a burning prayer 
      At his back, and ran, and ran 
      In stark fright 
20    On broken bones 
      Beneath a salt-dead tree.

 

From the collection "The Cabana at the Equator"

Written by Gregg Glory [Gregg G. Brown]

More information available on gregglory.com.