#OctPoWriMo 2021 — Day 31: “Apocrypha”

Posted byJennifer PatinoPosted inpoetryTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,




Apocrypha

smiling like a demented doll
through the darkened windows
of jealousy, the disembodied
keep alive through envy
& who’s paying & playing
is as irrelevant as all
the designer’s not saying

silence is a form of security
& our bodies are wide open
for cereal boxes of toxins
& every edible form of impurity

dragons lurk in the gene pool,
spark their marks of beast
& burden / some are more comfortable
being pegged as footstools
& others with murderous brothers
strike their crossroads bargains

the reign of pain began
out of season, there’s a reason
lack of rain strokes
your lonely factors, why
the crowds of mass jab-braggers
are comprised of bad actors

delusions in coffee cups,
after midnight pick-me-ups,
make friends with fatigue
because life in itself
is a slow cause of death

ask the ghosts why they’re
so bereft & come to terms
with your similar (bodily only)
forms, or your forlorn
familiars
every pair of eyes is a fizzled
mirror, every corner
of the basement carries
an old-time fear

dream of arsonists
& be grateful for them,
the turning of burning
earth beneath tired feet,
the pursuit of passions,
the dysmorphic defeat

accepting penalties dealt out
on the street, the shades close
for the last time,
& the deceased mouth
holds onto blurred words:
never fret again,
the choice was mine

the penitents look northward,
the sky flashes its
never-ceasing warning signs

Image by Jeroným Pelikovský from Pixabay


Another #OctPoWriMo completed! Thanks so much for reading along this month & for all of your encouragement. There were many themes apparent to me in these poems: the familiarity of the memory cycle, dreams & symbols, & of course, plenty of horror movie inspiration. It’s been a fun trip.

I hope you all have a happy & fun Halloween! It’s my favorite holiday. Stay safe & I’ll see you again soon. It’s “big rest” time. 🙂 ❤







Published by Jennifer Patino

Poet.

30 thoughts on “#OctPoWriMo 2021 — Day 31: “Apocrypha””

  2. “silence is a form of security
    & our bodies are wide open
    for cereal boxes of toxins
    & every edible form of impurity”
    So true and so powerfully stated. It has been s treat to read your verses this month, Jennifer. ❤️
    Rest, rejuvenate and come back soon.
    Happy Halloween!🎃👻
    Enjoy your favourite holiday. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. This poem was like thunder and lightning! Its idiom so contemporary, bringing its own wild logic that defines our time, our human condition! This is a poem with so much power its fire soars with meaning! Happy Halloween and best wishes!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Wow! Love this one. Congrats on the poetry writing challenge. I’m catching up with it all now. This one was terrific: total apocalyptic dream/nightmare vision madness. Good stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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