Introducing a new series of poems by Julian Matthews. Julian is a writer and Pushcart-nominated poet published in The American Journal of Poetry, Autumn Sky Poetry Daily, Borderless Journal, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Dream Catcher Magazine, Live Encounters Magazine, Lothlorien Poetry Journal and The New Verse News, among others. He is a mixed-race minority from Malaysia and lived in Ipoh for seven years. Currently based in Petaling Jaya, he is a media trainer and consultant for senior management of multinationals on Effective Media Relations, Social Media and Crisis Communications. He was formerly a journalist with The Star and Nikkei Business Publications Inc
Link: https://linktr.ee/julianmatthews
by Julian Matthews
Your poem is birdsong on a morning walk in a manicured garden
My poem is hooting in the night, who am I, who am I, who am I
Your poem is a field of sunflowers, petals turning towards the sun, food for the bees
My poem is poison ivy, a weed creeping under skin, a rash that itches and swells
Your poem is sunlight reflected on a raging,radiant river
My poem paces in unlit corners, peering through bars of its own cage
Your poem is a trip to the coast, a dip in cool waters, a moonlit dinner, a real catch
My poem is fish bait, worms on a barbed hook, snapped lines, the one that got away
My poem is salt and vinegar in an open wound, cigarette burns on raw skin
Your poem is the ice pack, the cool balm, the dressing for the healing
My poem is slash and burn, a forest in flames, the smokey inhalation
Your poem is an oooof, needs a deep breath after, oxygen for the brain
My poem is the temptation in the desert, the mirage, the searing sun
Your poem is the search and rescue, the long ride home, the oasis of real dreams
My poem is the emotional smack in the face
Your poem is the embarrassed apology after
Your poem is a rock
My poem is unwilling
My poem is the alleyway of broken dreams
Your poem is the secret pathway to redemption
My poem is the bite, the sting and serpent poison
Your poem is the antivenom serum
My poem is a cry of pain, trudging in the rain, the walk of shame
Your poem is the sacred journey, the holy pilgrimage, a return to Eden
My poem is tired and lost, all alone
Your poem is the light to find my way home
Your poem is home
Your poem is home
Your poetry is home
First published in Once Upon A Poem anthology, Pisces Publishing, USA
