Five Poems by Nolcha Fox

 

Surviving the End

 

The end is always hard,

watching him pack and leave,

keeping the dogs from following,

keeping yourself from following.

 

After the end is always harder.

No help with groceries,

all the appliances break

and the lightbulbs burn out.

 

After the end of the end,

you find the ice cream 

at the back of the freezer.

Life is good.

 

Incense of Absence

 

She lights the candles, incense

on the shrine to his departure.

Photographs and artwork

decorate the mantle, 

as dancing light and sweet

aroma permeate the room.

She knows he won’t return

but she peeks through

velvet curtains, soft and red

as heart-stained lifeblood

racing through the

tangled knots of adoration

beating time to footsteps

that will never walk again.

 

Growing season

 

doesn’t end when plants 

drop flowers and fade to brown.

The ground grows leaves

of red and gold

as autumn winds push summer out.

The ground grows ice

and snow, so white

when gripped in winter chill.

The ground grows graves

as we leave life

that grow new plants

that bask in spring.

 

Pebbles

 

He gives me pebbles

to skip across the lake,

and ripple the water

with the sound of light.

 

She used to

 

be a lilac tree,

bursting into spring.

Now she settles

in the sun,

to soak up all the warmth.

She used to listen

to the sounds 

that float right past my ears.

Now she can’t hear

the wind, the birds,

my tread across the floor.

She looks for me

for fear she might

be left here all alone.

She used to live

for food and love.

 

That hasn’t changed a bit.

 

Nolcha Fox - Nolcha’s poems have been curated in Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Alien Buddha Zine, Medusa’s Kitchen, and others. Her poetry books are available on Amazon and Dancing Girl Press. Nominee for 2023 Best of The Net. Editor for Open Arts Forum. Accidental interviewer/reviewer. Faker of fake news.

Website: https://bit.ly/3bT9tYu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolcha.fox/

Instagram: @nfoxauthor