Divorce Court on Midsummer's Eve


this was the day we were to wed
with nymph and fairy folk in hand
instead we finalize our divorce
among the marble steel and stone
heavy air of God all around i hear the black hound

i see your ghost across the mahogany pews
hard face that cracks skin breaking news
i have a longing for the man i used to know
but he is not here I hear death throes
i wonder where he is or if he ever was

englishman you write and recite your play
act I you are romeo and i juliette
act II you are prospero and i miranda
act III you are lady macbeth with bloody hands and deep regrets
and i the ghost of blues and wild cat whiskey past

i am the american blond
i sing my southern song with no regrets
i would walk through a ring of fire once again
fearless for love even if the outcome were the same
for there is no love or life without death pain

no healing balm for the sacred heart
only to bleed deeper out the toxic flame
i don't miss the angry man or woman that you became
i can't miss the troubled soul who walks the floors all through the night
why are we here it must have been a lie
but i know it's fear
fear of life
fear of money
fear of oblivion
fear of demons in the darkest night

and the pasty white man in black suit
with black book and black boot
vampire feasting on our family
he is your master and with him you have been forever divorcing me
your fetus mother sister daughter and redheaded whore

englishman i am not sorry my culture does not understand
the disconnect you have to woman hearth and home
but i promise this will be the last on midsummer's eve
i walk four points around the room to cast a spell of fortitude
i will not be broken and stand strong alone

when the day is done i hear a whippoorwill
and share a glass of strawberry wine
with Puck and celebrate summer time
i will not be thinking of you of course
only this poem to mark our very last divorce

persephone and i will
watch the sun rise
She got her green card
praise the lord i saw the light

- to my lover and hater

                                                                                           c. paulette powell, 2007





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