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Music of the Contours

part of “A Double Unfinished Symphony” sonnet sequence

The way that curls sway lovelier than straight,
..And curving strands of gold set pearls in grace,
….That nuns’ bow necks to take novitiate,
……That perfect comets bend to spangle space,
…….Your memory impairs and sags my heart.
……..As stars lurch out to supernovae, burst,
……..As planets smashed by asteroids must smart
….…With plate tectonic pain, as if accursed,
…...My ribcage staggers, traumatized and blind,
…..Because a glimpse of you swerved through my view.
….It scraped my psyche, fragmented my mind
…And left me stunned, a tingling residue.
….From cataclysms such as these imposed
…..All bright celestial bodies are composed.

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Phillip Whidden is an American living in England who has been published in America, England, Scotland (and elsewhere) in book form, online, and in journals.  

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8 Responses

    • Phillip Whidden

      Ilsa Mars, I only just now saw your comment. Sorry. Every poet probably needs comments like yours–except maybe Archy in “Archie and Mehitabel.”

      Reply
  3. Paul Freeman

    What a lovely curve ball you threw us in this sonnet.

    Thanks for the read, Phillip.

    Reply
  5. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    I love the curvaceous layout of “Music of the Contours” and the images within are ethereal and striking. I particularly like: “My ribcage staggers, traumatized and blind, /…..Because a glimpse of you swerved through my view. The meaning is just out of reach… it teases me from the periphery. This is a haunting and hypnotizing sonnet that begs to be read again. Thank you, Phillip.

    Reply

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