Bum Leg Ghazal
After two years of growing, my bum leg feels like stone–
bumpy, rock-hard as solid silt–tan, gray, red earthlike stone.
The word disability teases my wellbeing–
it’s as if I can see it etched on granite gravestone.
In the dark, under cover, I can be anything
new. Imagine a shape-shifting creature, snakelike stone.
Like something new and inhuman, I loft myself high
into the air each day. My body, molelike millstone.
Skin so hard, sharp teeth, the quick mind of a wanting thing,
If they have anything to say, they might as well strike stone.
14 thoughts on "Bum Leg Ghazal"
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Ding ding ding Dig!
‘I can be anything
New’
Hell Yeah Dude dug that especially then the shapeshifting visuals. Quick mind, and last stone line. Cool poem
Shaun, this is fantastic. Your repetition of stone is very effective. Bravo.
There are so many profound things about this poem; where to start? The well constructed form of ghazal heightens the emotional impact. Bravo, Shaun
When repetition doesn’t feel repetitive, you know you’ve achieved the form. This is excellent
This was what I was going to say!
Great twisting/shifting of the “stone”!
your word choice is amazing and powerful. this is great!
“The quick mind of a wanting thing”! Beautiful. Very masterfully done, Shaun!
I like how those using the word “disability” in line 3 are referred to in the last line.
earth
grave
snake
mill
strike
the secret life of stones. nice work!
I adore ghazals! Yours really sings! Stone as the word to repeat is brilliant– especially the way you shape and shift it.
love “quick mind of a wanting thing”
A ghazal with hustle!
A great job with this ghazal!
What hustle with this huzzle! Er. Ghazal! I loved this Shaun, truly. Awesome.