Skull Song

My last days were melted wax lips and roses.
Eyes swam in water pools around my head
until goodbyes drowned at my feet.

I always dreamed of pretty boxes
where secrets slept on satin whispers,
but in this wooden box the only sound
I hear is the skull song of flies.

Life is moments written on
the hyphen between birth and death.
The ink wasn’t even dry when
my ending was chiseled in granite.

If I could reach through six feet of clay,
I would dance with the bright colors
November places upon my breast.


©Susie Clevenger 2015

This poem appeared in Yellow Chair Review's  Horror Issue, October 2015.


Real Toads ~ The Tuesday Platform

Comments

Marian said…
So evocative from that first line, Susie! The wax lips set childhood in my mind about this, which makes it all the darker. Congrats on its publication!
November 11, 2015 at 5:18 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
Life is moments written on
the hyphen between birth and death.

Such an astounding image, Susie. Congrats on being chosen for publication.
November 11, 2015 at 8:20 AM
Carol Campbell said…
"Hyphen between birth and death". Very good poem!
November 11, 2015 at 11:54 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
WOWZERS! You are on fire these days. No wonder they published this one. How could they not?
November 11, 2015 at 1:53 PM
kaykuala said…
Spooky write! Makes it real effective Susie! It has to be published!

Hank
November 11, 2015 at 7:07 PM
Ella said…
Congrats Susie! I agree, no wonder it was published!!! You haunt in the best way~
November 11, 2015 at 10:33 PM
Anonymous said…
Every line is exquisite..especially the hyphen between birth and death. Loved it.
November 11, 2015 at 11:30 PM
Outlawyer said…
This is a terrific poem, Susie. I hope we can all dance on top of that hyphen! Really well done. k.
November 12, 2015 at 5:40 AM
Magaly Guerrero said…
Vivid!

The first line brought so many images to my head. And the last line... wow!
November 12, 2015 at 8:02 AM
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