Narcissus
by
Nina Kallen
When Narcissus looks at the shallow pool,
What does he see? His own winsome image?
Or passed, to past: Rivergod father, cruel,
Gurgling laughter rippling from his visage?
"Daddy's only joking!" Cephissus forced
His son beneath the cold water, holding
Him down. Narcissus broke away. Air coursed
Through his lungs. He gasped, crying, consoling
Himself that someday he could leave. A man,
Or god, full-grown, follows his own path. When
He says goodbye, he will be free. He can
Live life on land, make his own choices, then.
Now he is grown, safe, dry, independent.
But at edge of water, land has ended.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Morgan's poem
Allusion
She sits
on the bench
too close to him.
He turns to see
a girl,
reading a book.
Pretty hair.
Pretty face.
Generous figure.
She feels his eyes on
her
and looks away.
After a moment
she finds the courage
to meet his gaze,
but he’s already faded
away
staring into the empty
space
before him.
She watches him watch
nothing.
Skinny.
Dreaming eyes.
A nice smile.
A nice smile.
He looks back at her.
Suddenly insecure again,
she turns back to her
book, Fahrenheit 451.
How like a
mirror, her face.
Impossible; for how many people did you know
who
refracted your own light to you?
Words tumble over words.
Nothing makes sense.
She pulls out her phone
instead,
searching for
simplicity,
and catches sight of her
reflection in the screen.
Fat--
Three chins from this
angle.
Blotchy pink cheeks.
He’d never want to be
with someone
like her.
Nobody would.
He was so lucky
to be skinny
and good-looking.
He watches his marred
reflection
in a puddle on the
sidewalk.
skin and bones.
too pale,
even portrayed in water.
The girl next to him
is so lucky.
She’s got a figure and
rosy cheeks.
Nobody would ever want
him.
How could they?
They spend so long
criticizing their
reflections
that they never bother
to say hello
and ignore the open
window
of a new friendship
and instead
hate
themselves.
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