Roig & Stolle – February 2018
Christopher Stolle and Kerfe Roig traded art and words. Kerfe shared this image, entitled “Hand Rorschach,” with Christopher:
In response, Christopher wrote this poem:
Rekindle
ashen phoenixes arise
from smoldering immolation
transform into
graffiti smudges
bloodless wounds
flowers too black
to attract bees
set canyon waters afire
with their gazes
wait for prey
to marvel
and investigate
swoop down
to push them closer
to precipices
watch them stumble
and fall fall fall
without any wings
ensnare and affix
them to crosses
wait for their
regeneration
resurrection
reimagination
refuse to believe
their sacrifice failed
lose their nimbuses
and soar
into burning fists
* * * * *
Christopher shared this poem with Kerfe:
BEES BALL? CAN’T GO
(an ode to Lawrence Ferlinghetti)
Crowd swarms in, buzzing with stinging enthusiasm.
Hawkers bark for their pay (and yours):
“Programs! Get yer programs here!
Programs! Peanuts! Crackerjack!
“Drink down yer sorrows with honey-brewed beer!”
You’re electrified by smells of raked dirt,
buttery popcorn, and slathered suntan lotion.
Your skin feels like beeswax and mottled honeycomb.
Horsehide spheres being throttled
all across the field make your eyes faint.
Your hands reach for orbs like gold-covered manna.
You mouth waters, anticipating such succulent opulence.
You shout names.
You shatter their egos with your barbs.
When they ignore you,
this fuels your flight or fight spirit.
Even after a raucous first inning,
most around you have attuned
their inner antennae to some other frequency,
discussing fashionistas, pregnant indecisions,
and how to pollinate without succumbing
to nectar-laced promises.
Everyone has flown off to the ballgame.
I missed the humming homing signal.
I’m stuck at home.
But I prefer to listen to the static on my radio,
hoping for a sticky sweet stick to whack a home run,
helping my team enjoy a saccharine victory
while the flapping fans murmur about lost chances
for their team to earn its stripes.
In response, Kerfe made this image, entitled “beesball”: