A Quiver   

by Barry Ballard

 Barry Ballard
reads 

A Quiver



in Real Audio format.
     

How we toil. ..until we're left only a horrible fear of our own existence.
                            — C. K. Williams

A deep negative drops on top of me,
an arm quivers, a few thoughts crack, light leaks
out from the saltwater sea that defines
my tissued shape. And so I re-shape myself
by packing in wax like something that breathes
under a vest (a fitted prosthesis
of soul, warmed and anatomically aligned
to be correct). And then I name the swelled

body of seed after primevals, storms,
ancient spirits — keep ticking at the stitches
and believing tomorrow luminous,
with my heart-like candle of life warmed
enough for forgiveness, my “horrible
fear of existence” settled from the rush.

share it 

respond

      Able Muse

Contents