“Pennsylvania Prolonged (After Barton Smock)” by Crystal Stone
The sun has a tantrum, throws
shade & the clouds are just dirty
laundry in the room of the sky.
Lock eyes with the lingering
blue. Watch how the unforgiving
trees never face the sun.
God is only a wind-thrown
punch, downed red pills
in the sunset’s open mouth.
If it could speak, the sun would
stay silent, fade–make
way for the moon.
All the Places I Wish I Died By Crystal Stone
Publisher: CLASH Books
2021
116 pages
$14.95. Paperback.
Book reviewed by Kavita Khajuria.
“..and everywhere is
a place I feel I’ve never been..”
This chapbook conveys a collection of poems that translate as thoughts and re/experiences characterized by parallels drawn from fragmentations – connected by a thin thread at times (or not). Occasionally sexually frank, themes include isolation, reminiscent reflection and detachment, characterized by numbness and various other mental states. The reader may hear/feel the intrusion of personal trauma in the midst of chaos – with the poets observations and reflections linked to flashbacks, fragmentation and entrapment. One can hear fantasy, musings, and self revelations – with frequent associations, flight of ideas and unknown trajectories. It translates as a courageous communication – and life as an evolving poem.
Serotonin 