Adam Fieled's Miscellaneous: March 2025

for Alexandra Grilikhes 1932-2003

Puzzling your way back from nothingness
you must be; if the Void is an abyss,
to conquer it in life is impossible.
There is a blessing in ritual,
but it is all from one pull.

Your private treasures I never knew;
beyond the Indian drums (of which you had
a collection), was there something,
some book, some record, you prized
above all others?

You were a technician of tough love,
collected hearts; had a passion
for Chinese herbs boiled down
to the root, to retrieve essential,
healing strength;

ministered weary angels
needing succor, familiar w/ your tongue,
your breath, the beating of your heart.
Saintly, to feed some soul's need
for flesh, nectar, sanctuary,
oblivion;

now it’s death's mystery
from which you can't escape—
maybe. I profess & confess
utter bewilderment.

Remember lunches
at Essene, 4th Street, the crutch
of good caffeinated coffee, conversation,
a few hours rest; was eternity
there, watching you, your Muse,
waiting silently to bear Her naked flanks
to your disciplined pleasure?
Who would know but Her
how you, a restless spirit, learned?

© Adam Fieled 2003-2025

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Addendum: Brand New Key

Buckle up for the ride; Jeffrey Side's Collected Poetry Reviews (2004-2013) re-published on AO.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Apparition Poem #1574 in Fixator Press

Apparition Poem #1574 in Fixator Press. Many thanks to Jonathan Butcher.