Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Soul of
California” by Ross Balcom. Mr.
Balcom lives in southern California. His poems have appeared in Beyond
Centauri, inkscrawl, Outposts of Beyond, Scifaikuest, Star*Line, and other
publications. He is a frequent
contributor to the Songs of Eretz
venues.
Soul
of California
Ross
Balcom
i.
drowned
surfers
crawl
from the sea
to
rape your daughter
ii.
Jim
Morrison
still
alive
screaming
in my basement
iii.
Disneyland
old
Mickey smiles
teeth
newly sharpened
iv.
Hollywood
costume
jewelry chokes
a
river of blood
v.
celebrities
on
the red carpet
sniff
each other's asses
vi.
developers
gnaw
the bones
of
paradise
vii.
Mission
San Muerte
Jesus
beats an Indian
to
his knees
viii.
the
Golden Gate
instant
satori
as
you leap
ix.
the
freeway
hurtles
you
to
infinite traumas
x.
a
rattlesnake
crosses
the trail
soul
of California
Poet's Notes: I have stared long into the abyss of
the "Golden State." This poem offers a survey of it. Darkness
without end.
Editor’s Note: The poet captures the essence of the seamier side of
California without resorting to cliche. There is a fresh, biting satire
to each haiku-like stanza that really sings. The image of the snake in
the final stanza is stunning.
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