Red Poppy Deer Poem by Ioana Cosma

heavy medication from above: stoned angels
parading on a crumbling stage like
withered mistletoe tied to an icon
blinking to the heavens while floundering

red poppy deer was her name she had
a son and shotgun under her arm
she spent the nights in smoking parlors
and drank gin tonic and rum.

the seas were combed the blue-bloodied angels
fled the scene, when they found him
intoxicated and innocent in a circle of fire
under the tree of life bush.

red poppy deer brought bread and guns
whispering a story of violence and guilt
a centuries' old sin engraved on the back
of her left hand like a wild tattoo.

'to be a rock and not a roll' was her excuse
and she went well with it but his eyes
conspired a new silence
leaving her lonely and without relief.