Unreflective: Prose Poem

Wednesday Prose Poem: what’s in a promise?

Arrogant and angry – Have I left or…am I leaving? – the eruption of reddened cheeks, puffed face of righteous rage making lips into a cupboard where nothing is safe — the words chip themselves on teeth on the way out, make an ugly line —

a hole in the world to stuff with paper and nicotine and ink inserting surreal spirals — like the dark shape of hearts without ears or ass cheeks —

and reversions to the child beliefs, causing you to spit in the posturing ruins of a relationship you had no hold on— —

the lights go only one direction — hiding spots made out of corners and closed eyes, lacking the foresight to ignore the ceiling you’ve hit while arms become shelves, become part of the furniture — a dark transformation—

delirious and desiring a side game from destructive chances — hoping for a chance to break even before losing to the avalanche card and – found twirling your fingers at the air beside garbage bins out the hotel back and hoping someone comes along —

soon

but promises are lacks in the making — and in the end I can’t say whether that taxi sees me or not.

J.D. Harms 2022

Prompt:

What’s in a promise? Who holds you accountable for the promises you make? Boss or partner, mom or child? I used the situation of a divorce here, and the guy (broken-hearted, “rejected,” etc.) runs from the relationship, doesn’t realize he’s just running; naturally, promises are just holes for the digging for someone who’s unwilling to face the darkness and try to fix what isn’t working. Anyway, write me a prose poem on the nature of promises. Tag me in it! Rock on, read on!!

In case you missed Saturday’s offering:

Melissa Coffey Zay Pareltheon Eli Snow Jessica Lee McMillan Viraji Ogodapola Jeff Langley Joe Luca Vic Spandrio Joseph Lieungh Gary Chapin Mimi Bordeaux Paroma Sen Samantha Lazar Alicia Lee Colasurdo Eleanore Christine Zuri Pommerenk Cassandra Armstrong Caitlin Rebecca Carolyn Riker Mark Tulin Alan Asnen Sally A Mortemore Skye (Vixen Lea) Nicholson Amy L. Bernstein Amy Jasek Era Garg Somsubhra Banerjee Enne Baker Dana Sanford Annine Massaro Andrea Juillerat-Olvera Betsy Michelle Berry Lane Jesse M. Gonzalez Dennett Mark Tulin Valori Maresco Carolyn Riker Sydney Duke Richey Sydney J. Shipp Rowen Veratome allie wisniewski Suzanne V. Tanner Erika Burkhalter Jenine Bsharah Baines Kristie Darling Niki Madore Ann Marie Steele Barry Dawson Jr. IV Brigitte Bebey Danielle Loewen Dana Sanford Roy Reichle Lori Lamothe Laurie Perez Rhonda Marrone Janaka Stagnaro Georgiana Petec Renee Podunovich Lennie Varvarides Wry Welwood Marilyn J Wolf