the mouth
the tongue—
moving muscles
that form letters
words
promises
slick as oil
on a silver spoon
they slide into my ears
and i believe them—
heaven help me,
i believe them—
the comfortable way
you tuck words into my pillowcase
and ask me to lie down—
relax
i see through the cling film,
of course i do,
the lopsided tilt of your grin,
the way your head bobs yes
when no
echoes against empty walls
there’s no handshake
nothing solid
just words that puff into the air—
dandelion tufts without wishes
Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio with her husband, two of her six children, and two dogs. She teaches for Clark State College, is the lead poetry editor for October Hill Magazine, and has been published in over 130 magazines. Her four poetry books, The Human Side, This is Life, Mosaic: A Million Little Pieces, and The Stars Above Us are available on Amazon. Website: https://soulpoetry7.com/
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The dandelion tuft image at the end lands perfectly - words with no wish behind them, just scattering in the wind. That line about the head nodding yes while no echoes on empty walls captures the particular loneliness of being lied to gently. Sharp, economical piece.
Please identify the artist who creates the wonderful images published with this lovely poem and all the other published poems. I guess that Iwill have to submit poetry in the hope that it will be chosen and he/she will illustrate it.
The dandelion tuft image at the end lands perfectly - words with no wish behind them, just scattering in the wind. That line about the head nodding yes while no echoes on empty walls captures the particular loneliness of being lied to gently. Sharp, economical piece.
Please identify the artist who creates the wonderful images published with this lovely poem and all the other published poems. I guess that Iwill have to submit poetry in the hope that it will be chosen and he/she will illustrate it.