ARS POETICA
For Keith Johnson
‘Poetry is the synthesis of hyacinths and biscuits.’ Carl Sandburg
I presume, since Carl Sandburg was a poet
of the railroad and the five-and-dime,
of prairie skies and the remarkableness
of the people, they are American
biscuits – that cross between scone and bannock –
to mop up the gravy from your beans
on the Chisholm Trail to Dodge City.
According to Homer, among others,
Hyakinthos, a Spartan prince of great
beauty, much fancied by Apollo,
had his skull split. Zephyrus had thrown
a vindictive discus. From the young man’s
purple blood bloomed the flower, his initial
traceable amongst the ornate petals.
Love and lard, flour and ferocity,
blossoms and buttermilk, salt and stories –
poetry is an amalgam, a mixture
of use and wonderment.
Note: Keith Johnson
Hugh Powell
October 8, 2019Gravy and Purple Blood – delicious! And only available here! Thanks for the link to KJ, quietly placed at the bottom.
Alan Horne
March 22, 2021Love the bit about the biscuits. And yes, the link to Keith Johnson’s blog is a hidden bonus!