The Reputations of Kings
These are the days we destroy
the reputations of kings
and leave the queens
battered and slumped
over the couch in the living room
These are the days we grow hungry
for the skins of our forefathers
Cannibalization cannot sate
the gnawing hunger
that pains our insides
The past is a puzzle box,
a great labyrinth,
a nightmare concert in the center of chaos
playing out of tune
It is a tired lung
trying to breathe,
heaving,
gasping for that very sustenance
it gave up centuries ago
Stephanie Smith is a poet and writer from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in such publications as PIF MAGAZINE, DECOMP, EVERYDAY POETS, THE HORROR ZINE, and BLUESTEM. My first poetry chapbook, DREAMS OF DALI, is available from Flutter Press.
Beautiful, layered, and well written.
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