What didn't make it (the storm pt 2)

What didn't make it was my piece "Green Bay." Both poems that I submitted were originally part of a longer poem (one of my few over a page) of place-names. The editors of Verse Wisconsin shared with me that it felt like the start of a good poem. After reading it again in isolation, I'm beginning to agree. I'll let you read it and decide.

“Green Bay”

The bay looms large, chewing pulp along the Fox

And wafting exhaust, obscuring the lake.

The steam glows at night, mangling factory lights

Acting backdrop to the spot lit bell towers

That gleam daytime against the twilight plumes.

Along the horizon, town lights lurk

Reminders of places that trip my tongue.

Their sounds so familiar and removed.

Intoxicating.

National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month's kick-off today, I'm dredging my collection for a spring-time poem to fight against the cold temperature and snow of Northeast Wisconsin's "spring". I originally wrote it after returning home from Rome back in 2008. What are you doing for National Poetry Month?

"Outside, My Father Grows Roses"

Outside, my father grows roses--

Simple enough to decorate our lawn

But not plain enough to help frame your face

By keeping your crashing locks behind your ear.

The busy rococo simply doesn’t fit

The truly beautiful,

But frustrates it with overstimulation.

A fresh tulip is far better suited

To adorn the bower of your sweet-mask

And draw attention to every detail,

Each so worthy of memorization.

I would recite your face in tulip silk,

If the during desert sun would allow.