Inspiration: It’s a little too warm to be that good.

by Paula Appling

One generous swallow
        or perhaps three –
                all I need to
                        satisfy my yen
                                for yeasty
                                        golden amber liquid
The first pull                              deliberately chilled to
        fills the mouth                            icy mountain stream.
                delights the tongue
                        tingles the oral cavity
                                tastebuds shift to overdrive.
                                        That first draught –
                                                consumer me – grounded
Earthy, powerful liquid gold –               otherworldliness overwhelms
        rolls, luxuriates, lounges,                     shades of bronze swirl
                until the coda begins …                       jazzy tones color, sway
                        cold frosts the esophagus                     I surrender.
                                imbues the belly with
                                        extended pleasure.
                                                Unwilling to proceed,
                                                        the pleasure lingers …
                                                                until my warm hand reaches,
                                                                         anticipating the next.

Joy

Cocooned by family in safety and love,
insulated from the known and
enveloped by
a language I don’t speak,
people I don’t know,
a culture and flavors I find strange,
the sun shines long and strong.

I keep my dad’s voice within earshot
as I – right foot first –
skip skip hop walk gallop gallop –
on this sidewalk full of possibilities,
in this tropical country,
under a cobalt sky,
as we move toward new adventures.
Now the left foot –
skip skip hop walk gallop gallop.

Mystical Cast

Luminous skies ignite
rare atmospheric light
            over hallowed grounds.

Cool glowing red, blue, gold
posies so stiff with cold,
            their backgrounds

granite, engraved with dates,
the markers – cosmic gates.
            Holy splendor,

transcendent ethereal sighting …
bathed in empyrean lighting.
            I surrender.

BIO

Paula Appling is a poet, writer, editor, and book designer from Six Mile, South Carolina. She has been published in The Road Not Taken, Toasted Cheese, and Caveat Lector. She has also edited and created a dozen books for others … and has recently published Shadow World, an unsettling poetic journey. When she’s not chasing the elusive rhyme, she’s hoping to spot the white-tipped tail of a red fox on the trail. She lives with her husband and 2 cats.