a sound poem does not hesitate
does not prevaricate
does not wobble about

it states its purpose smartly
develops its theme without hesitation
even with a sense of urgency

creating images
sometimes memorable
often fleeting

having laid a table set out a feast
plumped a sofa full of feathered cushions
created a false sense of security

it then leaps up
and exits swiftly
on tiptoe

perhaps trailing
a whiff of violets
bloodstains

a wry smile
a hunger pang
an uneasy longing

leaving its reader
in the lurch
wondering

where did that go


Tricia Lambert
(On being given the prompt-A Sound Poem)