The Weight of an Apple

There’s lovely messiness with romance.

At least that is what the flower poets

plant on pages inamoratas harvest.

Elzeth is more practical.

She knows no matter how beautiful

the fruit looks on the apple tree

there is one that fools you with its rot.

Even stars with their diamond glitter

will lead you astray if your eyes aren’t

schooled in lessons from a telescope.

She is not without a wink and flirt,

but she has gathered too many stones

in her heart to not be cautious of

the illusion handsome means tender.

Yet ice will only stay frozen if heat

doesn’t bring its thaw, and Elzeth

is not immune to the right flame.

In the garden of sighs she is vigilant.

A kiss on her lips could be a path

through Eve’s Garden where there isn’t

a serpent to lead her to truth. 

©Susie Clevenger 2025

Shay's Word Garden Word List ~ Across the River and into the Trees

Angel of Absurdity

Let turtles roam my tombstone,

invite wild, wicked lightning

to be the moon above my grave.

Plant nettles at my feet

where their sting can strike fools,

and their medicine can draw healers.

I will be a mongrel at rest,

a nest of ethnicities that

confuses Ancetry.com with

a plethora of connected non connections. 

Engrave my granite headstone or failing concrete

with, “She was once alive and sarcastic,

now she is Pheme the revealer of all your secrets.”

©Susie Clevenger 2025

In Greek mythology, Pheme is the goddess of fame, rumor, and gossip. 

Shay's Word Garden Word List ~ Cat's Cradle

 

Check Bounce of Greed

They’re wanting you pale,

a darker shade you go to jail.

 

This is the same old,

lighter skin owns gold.

 

This is America growing billionaires,

picking and planning the never share.

 

The Eve of Destruction

is always under construction.

 

If you’re a woman,

you’re less than human.

 

Sadly a pregnant womb

is both life and tomb.

 

So many guns, no humanity.

Bullet brains feed insanity.

 

The Eve of Destruction

is always under construction.

 

Money says it can never slip up

because it always banks on the give up.

 

Streets are bleeding voices,

angry as hell they’re losing choices.

 

Different faces, different races

growing community, sharing spaces.

 

The Eve of Destruction

is always under construction…

 

But this time money slipped up

because it bet it all on give up.

 

©Susie Clevenger 2025

What's Going On? ~ Eve of Destruction