Patti Masterman Poems

was gagging on poetry
And nothing could help:

I was gagging on poetry
...

Are you shy too, and lonely, my porcelain Hetty-
Lying so primly propped, on your chintz-covered settee?
Days pass you by, go unnumbered as sand grains,
You in your old lace and pastel-ribb'd crossgrain.
...

our blood hisses
on time's radiator;
those missed kisses
thought we'd find later.
...

You say, we need to think of some things
That went forgotten, during our days together.

You say, we need to pay more attention
...

Our actions are the prayer, unceasing,
Of love’s creation which is sought-
New things arising every moment,
From the past and future wrought.
...

Earthquakes rumble,
Tall mountains crumble,
Man made humble-
Shiva’s dancing.
...

Summer's eiderdown spins a cotton-scented spell
Of dry tongues swapping secrets, sworn not to tell.
Cold ice cream in buckets, hand-cranked under heaven,
And lies served neat, and bitterness unleavened.
...

Always fall in love with characters from books:
It's safer that way; they'll never leave you at the altar.
They won't break your heart, to run off with the flamenco dancer
(Even if they found out after a week,
...

Because I have loved one child, I know I've loved them all;
Caressed their smoother cheeks, from whence bright crystals fall.

Caught infectious joy of laughter, from their little sea-shell teeth,
...

Thorns were the latest fashion
And sackcloth shirts, at a time
When they were already expecting god
To return any hour, of any day.
...