deepundergroundpoetry.com
Kudzu Kills Slowly
You are all of that and a bag of chips
You are the Rubik's cube in my life
You are a stranger in a foreign land
You are the firm foundation of a vacant house
However, you are not the fuzzy kitten of posters and internet videos
You are not the precisely placed plants and flowers of the spring garden
You are not the scented Valentine’s Day card
And you are certainly not the dream that young lovers share
Though I am the greasy stain on the good shirt from eating the chips
I am the kindergarten puzzle with only four large pieces
I am a native of this land speaking only one language
And I am the furry puppy playing until sleep overcomes me
But I am not a healthy meal
I am not algebra, rather simple addition
I am not the Rosetta stone, only a broken record repeating
And I am not the firm foundation, but the vacant house in decay,
ready to surrender myself to you and the kudzu
You are the Rubik's cube in my life
You are a stranger in a foreign land
You are the firm foundation of a vacant house
However, you are not the fuzzy kitten of posters and internet videos
You are not the precisely placed plants and flowers of the spring garden
You are not the scented Valentine’s Day card
And you are certainly not the dream that young lovers share
Though I am the greasy stain on the good shirt from eating the chips
I am the kindergarten puzzle with only four large pieces
I am a native of this land speaking only one language
And I am the furry puppy playing until sleep overcomes me
But I am not a healthy meal
I am not algebra, rather simple addition
I am not the Rosetta stone, only a broken record repeating
And I am not the firm foundation, but the vacant house in decay,
ready to surrender myself to you and the kudzu
Published 15th Mar 2018
| Edited 3rd Sep 2018
Author's Note
This poem was written at a poetry workshop when we were told to write a poem based off of the form of a poem by Billy Collins called Litany.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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15th Mar 2018 7:56pm
Seed, I love the use of Kudzu, such a pervasive, invasive species, as a simile for ones, perhaps smothering, love and affection. Bravo! I'll check out the Billy Collins poem...I'm sure you got an "A."
Thanks, glad you liked it. The Billy Collins poem, Litany is on YouTube. As I recall the form is: You are_____, you are not ____; however, I am ______, but I am not _____. or something like that. Cheers!
