The Logical Poem-Story

Eons ago in a fathomless destitute crime-ridden inner city
far, far away-Chicago-we met in a vacant lot overgrown
with the most wretched of devil weeds-gnarled, tangled,
twisted stems like steel cables intertwined, seized ankles,
ripped shoes off mid-stride, threw children to the ground;

grasshoppers the size of finger-fat tootsie rolls hugged
tall stalks, shifted around away from intruders, jumped
blind in free flight withersoever they would go to smack
into whatever they hit and to cling with sticky barbed legs
wherever they landed, my nose and ears included.

We discussed the greater matters of life as most kids do,
like where you might come out if you dug a hole through
the earth-Paul said China, I shook my head no; Bob said
China, Christy said it, my brother said it, Cathy said it,
all said China-mad that I shook my head no. Ran home
whining-he won't believe us-got the adults involved.

Mrs. Shuzack said it, my mom even dared to say it, and
there in the midst of the black cracked asphalt street,
John's dad shook a rough knuckled finger in my face,
his sad eyes strained behind hedge row brows, and
declared boldly before all-they come out in China.

Then some school teachers strolling home agreed, like
buzzing bees together, that if we dug a hole through the
earth, we'd come out in China; a few park officials, sharp
and smart in their steam-starch-pressed green uniforms
bearing pointed polished badges, nodded to me to give it
up, as if that were the noble or honorable thing to do.

Someone finally asked me why I shook my head no, so
I smiled and said, "Don't you know, if you dig a hole
through the earth, you come to the molten core and die."

That was the end of that.






                                                      ¦ ~ ¦ ~ ¦

Published in Dropping Ants into Poems, NavWorks Press, 2017
Available worldwide and at reduced price at the Curio Bookstore
ISBN: 9781366548467

NavWorks Press Announces Release of Two New Books: Dropping Ants into Poems & Sometimes Anyway

• Los Angeles, CA — NavWorks Press announces the release of two great landmark volumes of poetry, Dropping Ants into Poems, by DE Navarro, and Sometimes Anyway, a compilation of 39 remarkable poets worldwide.
  
  ORDER discounts are available now, the books will begin to ship January 20.
  
  Dropping Ants into Poems A masterful work of literary merit in which DE gives us 27 engaging contemporary poems, 18 Zen poems, and 1 piece of flash fiction that all work together intricately to develop the main theme of planting the seeds of words and knowledge for future generations. Includes an article on contemporary poetry, and a surprise bonus to spice things up.
  
  DE has been called a word-master who writes with an intelligent poetic flair that demonstrates his symbiotic relationship with the English language and extraordinary ability to deliver powerful themes through words and imagery.
  
  

  

  
  

  
  
  

  ORDER at discount now at the Curio bookstore and curiosity shop.

  
  

   * ~~~~~ * ~~~~~ * ~~~~~ *

  
  Sometimes Anyway: Pride in Poetry Volume II
  Powerful poetry by the 2016 Pride in Poetry Prize winners and selected poets. A remarkably compelling compilation of 63 poems by 39 poets from all over the world that explores the character and quality of life and humanity—past and present—in the full span of our lives. Also features 8 micro-essays.
  
  Poems were chosen for their quality, readability, and poignant impact, and will please all poetry readers everywhere from this time forward, in every place under the sun. There is something here for everyone and everything here is for someone.
  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  ORDER at discount now at the Curio bookstore and curiosity shop.