Chair

 

Sunlight swells into buildings

rolls over my feet

gets trapped under my soles

At this moment

there is nothing more to say

 

When you rose to leave

your skirt

made the sound of a bird

caught in my hands

 

In the distance your silhouette

dark, then gray, then

birds landing on a statue

make the sound of your skirt leaving

 

Overhead, a low jet noise

I say something

but cannot hear myself

and across the table

the emptiness of your chair

===============================

from my 6th book: The Opening

(CTU Publishing)

©dah / dahlusion / CTU 2018

first published in Red Wolf Journal

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

The sight and sound of a beautiful bird taking flight, never again caged or in the hand. Still wondering if that "jet noise" was her disappearing into the heavenly clouds or the narrator's desire to drown out the pain of her departure. Remarkable work, sir.

[DAH]

I love your perspective on this poem. Yes, to all of your answers in that the reader is always right.

I'm happy that it resonates.

Thank you, R.E.
DAH

[Cherrie]

I really like how you equate silence with the emptiness, a vary nice touch, i always like when a writer adds elements of sound to a piece.

[DAH]

Happy to please you, Cherrie.

Thank you.

DAH!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Her skirt making a sound like a bird as she rose to leave...how eloquently articulated. And your closing line, of the emptiness of her chair, deeply resonates for me.

[DAH]

Thank you, Kelly, for this fine review.

DAH

[Pete]

the seemingly insignificant can really be so much. things take on meanings. sort of like a quiet roar. leaving an indelible impression. smooth and elegant. good flow. love the opening.

Sunlight swells into buildings

[DAH]

Lovely to read that this one resonates with you, Pete.

Thank you for this fine critique.

DAH

[Pete]

my pleasure ... :)

[gram linski]

you paint a great picture, with eloquence and style, the poignant emptiness of the chair,

[DAH]

I'm honored, thank you!

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

This is beautifully written, DAH.
The metaphors right here are original.

Keep writing.

[DAH]

Thank you for your kind words, Kay.

[Chris Shaw]

Your lines produce vivid imagery DAH. I was most taken with the sound of her skirt as she left, sounding like a bird caught in your hands. I tried to imagine that sound. To me this poem stirred up several emotions, those being loss, imprisonment and freedom. Beautiful work.

Chris

[DAH]

The break up of lovers is sometimes tragic,
sometimes poetic ...

Thank you, Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

There will always be poetry there, and of course for some it will be tragic.

[DAH]

Yes, I agree.

Thank you, Christine!