poems by rachel kellum

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2013 2013

Says the Pond to the Canoe

I cannot stop
your silent glide,
the slicing paddle
through my glass.
Nor would I halt
the silken length
of gentle glancing
broken mirrors,
mine. I throw
my milliard
diamonds
as you
pass.

2013

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2013 2013

Serendipity

There is
No backward
Serendipity.
The way is forward.
Not in the dirty martini.
Nor the green day.
Joy cannot be planned.
Some hands open
Only once just
This way.
Notice.

2013

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2013 2013

The History of Light

If it takes 7,000 years
For the light of the Eagle Nebula
To reach me,

How long does it take
The unobserved light of my body
To reach you?

Someone told me
Yesterday all light is a picture
Of ancient history.

2013

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2013 2013

Midstride

When my chest caved,
When my legs gave,

When smoke choked
Flags cracked awake,

I rolled over,
A human ringing.

Before your face,
There was sky.

2013

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2013 2013

Solitude

I’ve known the gentle crash
Of wave that whispers up and down
The slurping beach, combing
Sea-spat shells, distorted weeds,
Two feet, sopping driftwood masks.

I’ve opened up the ancient chest
In a basement a century used,
Where all the silver knives
And forks are tarnished
And there are no spoons.

I’ve climbed the minaret
And cried out in a crazy tongue
I did not recognize, and no one
Came to pray with me but flocks
Whose only sky and word is god.

I’ve laid upon the battlefield
A stiff, archaic nude,
My almost-smile undaunted
By the side-sunk spear, wishing
I were horses in Marc’s red and blue.

2013

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