Even when you pinched my heart small
it continued to glow
with green light
like a tiny fireball ignited
in the palm of your hand.
Does it burn, my dear? Does it trouble you
to know something
exists in this weak world
as indefatigable
as durable as my little heart?
My advice is this: Place it on your tongue
allow the momentary taste
of phosphorus
before you swallow
and enflame your soul.
This is a rare free element, this bringer
of light: let it live beside yours
and shine on
you need it more than I:
this, my firefly heart.
Camera FLASH! features the photograph, Firefly, by George Seeley.
All you ever wanted to know about Phosphorus, "bringer of light".
Kerry, this is such a wonderful and sad poem. A firefly heart, the ultimate offering to be swallowed... I feel a carnivore passion. Devour and being devoured. Stellar.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully eloquent! I love how you depict the defiance of pain and suffering in the second stanza by referring to 'as durable as my little heart.' We are much stronger than we are given credit for!
ReplyDeleteThe sad truth is that love really does hurt especially when give and take are disproportionate. A fine balance is so difficult to achieve.
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the prompt, Kerry. This is both communion and poem in a little burning paper boat.
ReplyDeleteI esp. love the second stanza. This is a beautiful, strong woman poem.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved the last two paragraphs...very deep....!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a caring speaker... Few would spend a second trying to protect one that aims to end them. But she does that and promises even more.
ReplyDeleteWow, this packs a punch, but such a soft one. I'm not sure anyone needs a heart more than its owner, but this is one amazing poem, Kerry.
ReplyDeleteI love poems that directly address the reader and draw me into the heart of them, 'Even when you pinched my heart small'. I enjoyed the description of the firefly's glow 'like a tiny fireball ignited / in the palm of your hand'. But the indefatigable and durable little firefly heart gave me a pang.
ReplyDeleteAhhh... I adore this. I will take that on my tongue please, like communion.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly the word "indefatigable" has been coming up frequently for me in the past few days. Why? Weird.
Also, hello, Sister! xo
Things are afoot in the ether. I've noticed a few connections myself. Glory be, sister poet.
DeleteBeautiful, that firefly heart, indefatigable and durable. Thankfully, women's hearts are strong and bouncy, like rubber.
ReplyDeleteFatal romanticism. So good it hurts
ReplyDeleteHot damn, Kerry! The last two stanzas are especially fantastic! Crazy good. It just builds and builds until the whole stellar performance concludes and I sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis is my very favorite section:
"My advice is this: Place it on your tongue
allow the momentary taste
of phosphorus"
The ultimate sacrifice, giving up your firefly heart to light up an undeserving one. Poignant...a a great lesson to be learned here. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice idea, Kerry. But even fireflies don't live forever. Mine died after about 40 years,of remarriage. But I still revere her for the good, but can't ever forgive all the bad.
ReplyDelete..
Boy did that article change the way I read your poem. :)
ReplyDelete"White phosphorus is a poisonous waxy solid and contact with skin can cause severe burns. It glows in the dark and is spontaneously flammable when exposed to air."
Indeed. Don't ever fuck with my heart.
DeleteYes, ma'am!
DeleteAh Kerry, those last lines are strikingly true--and the whole poem glows with that offered light, whose brightness and purity makes up for its size. Phosphorous, however brightly it glows, can be a very dangerous compound--here its sting seems only right.
ReplyDeletePowerful woman poem! That glowing light will never be extinguished by anyone.
ReplyDeleteallow the momentary taste
ReplyDeleteof phosphorus
before you swallow
and enflame your soul.
This more or less is indicating she has had enough! Very terse and very forthright! Great word-craft Kerry!
Hank