Poems by Deane Juhan

FATHER

There were horrendous misunderstandings
quiet pathologies not to be cured or endured
a flaying of some inner skin
too fragile for the surgeon’s suture
too enmeshed to be unwoven
too silent to be named
too deep even for the mortician’s fluids
too old to be remembered or forgotten--
an ever present absence of memories
toying mercilessly with peace of mind.

CRASH DUMMIES OF LOVE

There are no citations
for recklessness in love
but there are consequences
emotional lacerations
ER units of the soul
where instruments divine
the damage inflicted
an attempted prognosis
a plan for stabilization.

SHIPWRECKED CHANTY

How have I landed and what is this strand?
Was it folly or crime? I don’t understand.
There’s flotsam around, the crew has all vanished
and all that is clear is that I am banished.