BAKING BREAD
http://www.maverickmagazine.com/articles/340/1/BAKING-BREAD/Page1.html
Gene Fehler
Gene Fehler teaches poetry writing through South Carolina's Artist-in-Education program. He especially enjoys reading and writing poems of shared experience. Recent publications include RATTLE, BELLOWING ARK, THE NEBRASKA REVIEW, and ELYSIAN FIELDS QUARTERLY.By Gene Fehler
Published on 11/23/2005
My wife works in the kitchen, baking bread.
I sit nearby, my life stale. Hopes lie flat
as unkneaded dough. Jams, jellies
decorate shelves, their saving flavors
just within reach if I but choose the right jar,
I sit nearby, my life stale. Hopes lie flat
as unkneaded dough. Jams, jellies
decorate shelves, their saving flavors
just within reach if I but choose the right jar,
My wife works in the kitchen, baking bread.
I sit nearby, my life stale. Hopes lie flat
as unkneaded dough. Jams, jellies
decorate shelves, their saving flavors
just within reach if I but choose the right jar,
one not mismarked, spoiled, poisonous even.
I grab the jar with slippery hands, feel
smooth glass sliding from my grip. I stoop
to pick up pieces, stop at the sight of blood dripping.
I gaze first at scattered jagged slivers,
then at remaining jars, unbroken.
Glancing from her baking, my wife sees,
suspended in mid-air, my quavering hand.
Copyright © Gene Fehler, 2005. All Rights Reserved.
I sit nearby, my life stale. Hopes lie flat
as unkneaded dough. Jams, jellies
decorate shelves, their saving flavors
just within reach if I but choose the right jar,
one not mismarked, spoiled, poisonous even.
I grab the jar with slippery hands, feel
smooth glass sliding from my grip. I stoop
to pick up pieces, stop at the sight of blood dripping.
I gaze first at scattered jagged slivers,
then at remaining jars, unbroken.
Glancing from her baking, my wife sees,
suspended in mid-air, my quavering hand.
Copyright © Gene Fehler, 2005. All Rights Reserved.