ELEGY Poem: Photo of Clare, by Mick Whipple

Late-nineties darkness
You were bent over
Some september shore
Like a construction crane
Beneath a pimpish fur coat—
A womans, surely
White, draped lavishly, comically
Down to the pine-burl knees
I remember you hunched forward
False scowl, as an old man plays
Into his many odd jokes
In one hard hand:
A glistening muskie, most of your height
Beneath you both, wet grass
Around you both, total blackness
I love that picture, almost as much
As I would have loved you
Thank you
For my middle name

Author: poetryfest

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three Options: 1) To post. 2) To have performed by an actor 3) To be made into a film. View all posts by poetryfest