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Prey

You, the fire, intent on burning it all
with the heat of a blue-white flame
aimed at my kindling heart

There is no comfort for me here
Where love was sought
I found wolves at the door

About This Poem

Last Few Words: An exercise in brevity, inspired by a recent poem by Teddy. Although, the living of this was far from brief, LOL!

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Not actively editing

About the Author

Region, Country: San Francisco Bay Area - USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Bukowski, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Haiku & Harvey Kurtzman (a visual poet, of sorts)

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Comments

Lavender

Lavender

4 years 4 months ago

Prey

Hello, Michael,
I believe you when you say that the living of this was far from brief - I feel the agony and great heartache. Pretty intense language used in the brevity of your poem. Very good.
Thank you!
L

Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony

4 years 4 months ago

Appreciate your comments L!

Appreciate your comments L! This one took longer to write than some of my longer pieces. So few words, they all had to be right. Glad you enjoyed it!

Best

Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony

4 years 4 months ago

Thanks T! I wasn't sure about

Thanks T! I wasn't sure about the last stanza, as the "wolves at the door" phrase is a bit of a cliché metaphor. I tried several variations, but kept coming back the original. Just seemed to work best.

Best

C

c lynn brooks

4 years 4 months ago

Michel

wonderful write. "aimed at my kindling heart" that is one powerful line

Geezer

Geezer

4 years 4 months ago

I could see...

your smiling face as you opened the door; expecting to receive a comforting hug and kiss, but meeting the snarling face of reality. Awesome!
~ Geez.
.

Gracy

Gracy

4 years 4 months ago

Hello Michael, this is a true

Hello Michael, this is a true exercise in brevity. It's powerful and beautifully written. I love the last lines "when love was sought I found wolves at the door." That imagery is awesome.
Enjoyed, Gracy

Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony

4 years 4 months ago

Thank you for the visit Gracy

Thank you for the visit Gracy! This was an interesting write for me. Trying to condense a toxic relationship into a couple of stanzas was an interesting challenge. Glad it seems to have worked.

Cheers