International Authors’ Day is a time to celebrate the transformative power of writing. In this captivating poetry collection, Emily Zarevich delves into the beauty and struggle of the writing process, where fleeting thoughts are crafted into lasting works. So let’s take a moment to appreciate the words that move us and the creative masterminds that bring them to life.
The Harpist
Can a Poet pay a compliment to a Harpist
by tracing cursive words between the strings of their harp?
The day was lost after its first recital.
Music and poetry are trickling blood. They spill. They burst. They flow.
Marvel at the violent secrets scorched fingertips know.
The Poet loves the Harpist as one recognizes
another who wields what is best presented sharp.
I Wish I Wrote Frankenstein
I wish I wrote Frankenstein.
Why can’t my summer dreams bless me too?
I dream of glum, blurry failures. Battles I’ll lose.
And tests not studied for.
The foolishness of being stark naked
and begging to be swallowed in one piece by
a hole in the floor, when
all it takes is a little pinch, like this,
to be shot awake and bored.
My dreams are hateful, hideous.
Why can’t they be Frankenstein?
Can’t my mind hack up
an idea or two, find a way to
sort my jumbled thoughts
into true sense?
Mary Shelley was lucky and I
wish she could tell me her secret
for making the most intense
demons appear
like she did that rainy, blessed year of 1816.
I was only dreaming of
disappearing
and being missed
when I was troubled, scheming,
and nineteen.
I was barely existing.
My traitorous brain was resisting
that mad, thunderous streak in me.
Student-Poet
Shutters closed in retaliation to the peeping eyes
of Rossetti’s goblins, who sell door-to-door now.
Refusing their fruits, the student-poet bites her tongue
instead. She’s promoted them
to her English professor already
and lives on coffee, burnt bacon, and canned Irish stew.
The night critters knew she was in there.
They plotted her doom, planted their seeds.
She wakes up to a home overtaken by weeds.
We hope you enjoyed reading this inspirational collection. If you’d like to see more of Emily Zarevich’s work or explore other featured talent from Burlington’s Got Talent, be sure to check out more of our posted content. If you are a local artist, storyteller, or have a unique talent you’d like to share, please send an email to talent.localnews@gmail.com for an opportunity to be featured.
