Hide and Seek

Night legs

chase and

night hands

capture and

night arms 

hold

 

me

 

and night lips whisper.

 

I run hide,

I crouch

down

low

behind the bush.

 

I wish myself 

lower

than the leaves,

I wish myself 

lower

than the grass,

I want to hide

deep 

under 

the sifted dirt.

 

Hold my breath,

I have to breathe,

 

he is calling,

calling,  

 

I know

I hate my name.

 

Fear-heat  

rises

off my skin,

puffing

white smoke circles

to the sky.

 

Night seeks,

and he finds.

 

Bring her a star!

 

Not one falls.

 

No wishes tonight,

night of twin fears: 

two blue circles

mounted on a face.

Author's Note

not many of us make it through childhood whole (revised 5/6/08)

Reviews

[Winter McPherson]

This is very deep. I had to read it a few times. It's a very powerful poem. One can feel the anxiety in it. The childish wishing for a star is very poignant. The fanciful hopefulness of children facing the harsh realities of life is tragically caught in these lines. Thank you for sharing something so close to you.

[Shara Faskowitz]

This is a very powerful poem, Toni, and if I understand it correctly (and maybe I don't), it's a brave one to write. I like that it's spare because the images are made even stronger imo by not being overexplained. Those last two lines say it all. And no, no one makes it out of childhood whole. That line is also very powerful. Have you ever thought about tacking it to the end of this piece, like this:

Not one falls---
no wishes tonight,
night of twin fears:
two blue circles
mounted on a face.

No one makes it
through childhood
whole.

Just a thought. It's a very good poem.

[J]

This is the third poem of yours I've read now and this one captures me the most for a few reasons. I've noticed a few things: how you like using repetition as a tool (very effective in highlighting the main theme), your use of short lines, masterfully done to show the reader your exact rhythm/s, and your obvious love of nature coming through strongly in all three poems.

This is very rhythmic and gracious to the senses.
J

[[untitled]]

I can feel it. The very few words are very effective. This poem is WHOLE.