Behind my hiding oak I watch him break
our sparring off with deadfall swords to crouch
upon the mossy mound as if to wake
that shriveled browning husk, aslant and couched
inside the ditch. Alone on New Year’s Day
I dragged it while he napped, its needles cast
along the zigzag bramble trail I made
to rid us of the mess. Tinsel blasted
mercurial in January sun.
The boy-king reaches for it now to run
his fingers through its drooping tendriled harp.
I cannot hear the threnody he sings
that sour-sobs his face before he darts
into the grave to hug its lancing sting.
Read more of Adam Tavel's poems in the Spring 2015 edition of the Delaware Poetry Review.
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The Delaware Poetry Review, or DePoetry.com, is an online compilation of amazing, contemporary poetry gathered by a group of erudite editors based in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This notable compilation of poetry has been available since 2007, publishing new editions about once a year.
Each edition features a variety of poets chosen by the editors. This blog features our published poets.
More new works from the Mid-Atlantic Region are available at DePoetry.com. For feedback, contact depoet@capegazette.com or go to facebook.com/delawarepoetryreview.
