Literary as hell.

“Listen” and “For Troy Davis” from Love Poems by Charles Bane

Listen

Listen: when I was a child, I explored the jungle of ferns
near my house on the island where the hibiscus close like
shutters at night. I found sometimes living things and
scooping them up, felt them beating in my hands. I blew
between my fingers and thought they would remember the
signature of my soul when they were free. That is how I
love you.

 

For Troy Davis

You were not a monster,
but gold robed and smiling,
shyly looked directly at a
camera lens and held a thumb
up as Emmet Till might have
done if he had earned a degree;
I wish I could have set you
free; there are flocks of you
migrating in the long and
practiced curves of boys who know
the difference between a cage
and the beat of air beneath
uncreased wings.

Charles Bane, Jr. is the American author of The Chapbook ( Curbside Splendor, 2011) and Love Poems ( Kelsay Books, 2014). His work was described by the Huffington Post as “not only standing on the shoulders of giants, but shrinking them.” A writing contributor for The Gutenberg Project, he is a current nominee as Poet Laureate of Florida.

The Furious Gazelle is continuing to serialize Charles Bane’s new book of poetry, Love Poems. You can find more of his poetry here.

1 Comment

  1. harryc13

    “Listen” is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read, and — Google me — I’ve been around the block more than a few times. Thank you. Reading this was an honor. — Harry

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