Poems by Kyra J. Liedtke, this month’s Three Questions respondent, and Matt Farley, last month’s respondent, explore connections. Read more of Kyra’s words at Southernly Absurd on Substack and hear Matt when he reads at Word of Mouth Cincinnati on February 22.
Fractal Attraction
Chalked snot covered our sidewalk
after I inhaled your panicky air. Pinkish, purple,
slate blue chaotic mediums are made of
sedimentary carbonate rock; limestone.
Bamboozlement is from fractals fitting
on sycamore bark, in brain wrinkles, and freckles.
Complex theory predicts shifts in a holy existence
like a motherless child or
a runaway house cat or
hands that fit perfectly together or
salamanders under decomposed logs or
milk in bright bold font behind glossed-over eyes.
Milk.
The snot that came out of my nose was like milk.
On my side, curled up, eyes crying, rolly polly-like, I swallow
my chalked snot from snorted laughter. There is no rhythm
to this strange attractor purposely. Accidentally, we make
sense of argued abstractions. Realistically we question
equilibrium. Playfully we allow
unfolding.
––Kyra J. Liedtke
Your Fingertips Kiss the Horizon
On the uprooted forest monster
you look so free.
Your arms outstretched ––
beautiful in morning light.
In the mirror blue below,
I think you are the one
I want to get lost
in the woods with.
Not just this moment,
but every breath.
––Matt Farley
Top Image: Pixabay/Elly
Second Image: Pixabay/Дарья
Side bar image: Pixabay/Sabine van Erp
