The other man’s children
discharge kisses like bullets,
their blue eyes burning
bright as planets
falling from the sky.
There are no words for love.
I bleed tranquility from the
wounds.
They whisper my first name
like campfire flames,
holding flashlights in the dark
beneath smooth chins, laughing.
We’ve created a mystery
of a man one recalls
as daddy, and the other,
simply as the scent of his skin.
The eldest is the exception,
neither of this world nor the former,
as I myself am the eldest;
a product of experimentation.
Both of us Frankenstein’s monsters
with pieces from here and there;
one with scars and fears,
one with freckles and tears.
Yet here we remain surrounded
by candles on the white mantle,
framed in red with gold scrolls
like unread verses of scripture.
Our blond goddess strong in the center
pressing us together, while we all,
boys and men, vie for the warmest
spot in her heart, this side of hell.
Angel Zapata was born in NYC, but currently resides just outside of Augusta, Georgiarn
rn. His flash fiction and poetry has appeared or is forthcoming on Every Day Fiction, Every Day Poets, Flashes in the Dark, Short Story Library, The Absent Willow Review, House of Horror, and The New Flesh. He is husband to his blond goddess and father of four boys obsessed with all things ninja.
rn
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15 Responses to “FAMILY PORTRAIT • by Angel Zapata”
Comments
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December 15th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Love this poignant piece Angel — you’ve captured it perfectly!
December 15th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Angel – Your writing always delves deep into the orb of life to illuminate, give insight. I always look forward to your next offering.
December 15th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Words of insight are words of love.
December 15th, 2009 at 8:53 am
You are simply one of my favorite poets ever.
December 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I really like this.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Once more a scalding insight on family dynamics… Nice one, Angel!
December 15th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Excellent imagery and the narrative progression is at turns cutting as the edge of a sword and blunt as a butter knife. Really enjoyed this.
December 15th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Very poignant poem; burned me inside. Five from me Angel, thanks for this.
December 15th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Angel,
The sort of thing that touches the heart. Simple. Poignant. Perfect.
–dj
December 15th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
This is a good one, Angel. Don’t throw it away.
December 16th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Vying for love, yet lonely. Another poignant piece from you, Angel.
December 16th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Appreciate all the feedback. Thanks for reading and responding.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I was the ugly stepchild
, and felt quite like a “product of experimentation”! Excellent perspective on the amalgamation of family. Kudos to your blond goddess…five boys…yowsers.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Horrific and touching all wrapped up in a poetic verse. Amazing how you do this, Angel.
Perfect and beautiful.
December 26th, 2009 at 12:17 am
How do you do it, Angel? You are a wonderful poet.