Two Poems by Darren C. Demaree

POEM FOR MY UNBORN THOMAS #61

No shadow,

your luggage

has conflict

 

only with

the darkness

& red bubble

 

of your stasis.

It is less

& more,

 

the freedom

& resistance

of open air.

 

 

 

POEM FOR MY UNBORN THOMAS #24

 

Take a swim, the tri-cornered shadow

of your elbow chasing your hand, chasing

your aim will be of some comfort,

 

when across the pond, I am waiting

with the nudges of fatherhood. Press

deep in the reeds when your feet

 

meet the lowest end. Sink a bit, sink

lower still if you feel the fish taking you in

as nature. When they’re done with you,

 

your novelty, it will be your decision

to stay there or take my lift. You could

live in the water, like you are now,

 

but our skin, always thickening,

always thinning, could stew the surf

& there is no tide, no retreating in Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

Darren C. Demaree is living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children. He is the author of "As We Refer To Our Bodies" (2013) and "Not For Art Nor Prayer" (2014), both collections are to be published by 8th House Publishing House. He is also the recipient of two Pushcart Prize nominations.