Yellow Mama E zine

THE COMPANY I DO NOT I WISH TO KEEP

 

by John Grey

 

Between light and dark,

the veil diminishes,

is almost indefinable,

and, by the time my eyes adjust,

there is nothing there at all.

 

That’s when a face emerges,

from between the parting threads,

patches of familiarity

like the skin of a leper,

eyes in transit

from one realm to another,

pale cheeks,

strains of red hair

like bloody catgut,

and a mouth that flops open

makes a sound

without a hint of throat behind it –

like a bubble of words,

floating in my direction.

popping in my ear—

“help me.”

 

Between light and dark,

what is not shadow

is forsaken,

what can be seen

will be regretted tenfold.

 

 

      John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in Shift, River and South, and Flights. Latest books, Bittersweet, Subject Matters, and Between Two Fires, are available through Amazon. Work upcoming in Rush, Spotlong Review, and Trampoline.

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Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.