“Empty” by Ann Privateer

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Empty” by Ann Privateer.  Ms. Privateer grew up in Cleveland and moved to Los Angeles to attend college. Her poetry has appeared in Manzanita, Tigers Eyes, and Sacramento: 100 Poems to name a few.  She now resides northern California.

Empty

Ann Privateer

This place of winter ice

and frozen thoughts recalls

the ferment of fall bonfires

that whittled our resolve...

when the dog sat motionless

without his bone, not knowing

we were lost, his sad hungry eyes

on that day when we were caught

without memories or even a phone

only our empty words to chew and

regurgitate silently  while winter

ruminated and we longed

for our warm home far away

from rivers and cliffs,

from rudders and propellers.

Poet’s Notes:  Adults are fascinated with being too full or too empty. My grand daughter, who lives in France says, "Never say you're too full; it's not elegant." My son tells me to eat for pleasure.

Editor’s Note:  I enjoy the way the poet’s clever use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance adds an eery (and ear-y) feeling that enhances the dysthymic mood of this haunting poem.  Taken literally, the poem recalls Jack London; taken metaphorically, it might be interpreted by some as a poem about the loneliness of a couple growing apart.