In his poem, “Poet, No Thanks,” Jean D’Amérique repeats the phrase “I wasn’t a poet” multiple times, while describing other things that he instead claims to have been. In your poem for today, use a simple phrase repeatedly, and then make statements that invert or contradict that phrase.
In times of war, stock up on chocolate
Last night, I was all smooth and serene like chocolate
bubbling in a saucepan
seconds before a spatula slices
through its glistening skin
and stirs, stirs, stirs
everything—
turning, churning
thick, suffocating whirlpools—
What if? What if? What if?
Last night, I was all smooth and serene like chocolate
pummelled, packed, sealed into a sturdy mountain
till an avalanche of emergency alerts
tore away my Toblerone knees
the song I was trying to sing but for the din
in my ears booming like a baby’s heartbeat
at pre-natal check-ups, kept ringing—
where’s the bloody passport?
Have you lost it?
Last night, I was all smooth and serene like chocolate
holding its breath, like lava—molten under crest
nanoseconds before it succumbs, erupts
gloopy goop of a mess. I should have been packing
socks, money, undies
coriander, cumin, courage in our emergency-escape kit
instead, I lay splayed awkwardly on our bedroom floor
embroiled in strings of pearls, gold, silver earrings
bargaining with the carry-on’s lid—
just this last one, I promise.
How will I live without this one I bought in Camden Market for ten quid?
Gorgeous earrings, Arti, and yes, chocolate does help with smoothness and serenity, even in the middle of an emergency. I love the phrase ‘tore away my Toblerone knees’ and the image of ‘chocolate holding its breath, like lava—molten’. I hope all is well and good sense makes a comeback.
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