Genetic Falsehood

Summary

The website content features a poem titled "Genetic Falsehood" by J.D. Harms, which explores the complexities of relationships through vivid imagery and metaphor, and includes a prompt for readers to create their own poetic images of relationships without the use of dialogue.

Abstract

The poem "Genetic Falsehood" delves into the intricate dance of human connections, depicted with a raw and visceral quality. It paints a picture of the physical and emotional entanglements that define relationships, touching on themes of desire, transformation, and the struggle between staying and leaving. The accompanying prompt by the author encourages other poets to engage with their own experiences of relationships by crafting images that convey the emotional landscape without relying on spoken words, emphasizing the power of imagery in poetry.

Opinions

The poem suggests a tension between the physicality of relationships and the underlying emotional dynamics.
There is an acknowledgment of the performative aspect of relationships, as seen in the phrase "sees lovers chase."
The author implies a critique of societal norms in relationships, referring to "expected perversions" and "defunct cells."
The use of body parts and actions like "mouth on lips on sound" and "hair swept out of chest" indicates a deep, intimate knowledge of the subject matter.
The prompt reflects the author's belief in the strength of visual poetry to express complex emotions related to relationships.
The author's mention of "emotional dysfunction" hints at personal reflection and possibly a commentary on the challenges of maintaining healthy relationships.
The list of names at the end suggests a community of poets who are engaging with the prompt, indicating a collaborative and supportive environment for poetic expression.

08 May 2021 Saturday Poetry Prompt: relationships

Tackling the expected perversions, a wire that twists, bends, erects itself, shared vaginal whispers between heads, mouth on lips on sound

swept hair out of chest, the blanket kicked to the floor, clawfoot tub enlisting this space as well

but speaking out of turn, out of defunct cells, the trading glances of the best intentions, suddenly intent on that ass, on this leg

everything is on, is extended, past the headache approaching, no bodies here, now, used to take up one more level, an arrangement of metamorphosis

sees lovers chase, takes haired breast, pubic mound, piercings and all, deep the other way

before the eyes can close, can begin to recall what this was like the last time, but the lies lying in state in the stomach, a stare decisis of fate

engaged in pressing, gravity and alcohol get the blame, and too often, when the one side of the cabinet screams at the other

and bills fail to pass.

Prompt:

Well, I guess my own obsession with my situation was bound to affect y’all while I keep processing disillusion and dissolution…what I’ve tried to do here was construct an image that carried the fight, to stay and to get back, with both having an external and internal image to host emotional dysfunction. To reply to this prompt, create an image that involves your relationship. It could be a current marriage, it could be an old friend. Don’t bring dialogue in; let the image do the work! Tag me in it, and, as always, rock on, write on!