"One Becomes," "Ascent," and "The Distance"

One Becomes

one becomes only
what is necessary
 
the ocean sometimes
or a frog
or door
 
the man painted
so that he resembles
 
the woman a shadow
if she is even seen
 
the machine
never turned on

 


 

Ascent

one can climb
to dispel the laughter
to add the ocean
to the ceiling
and the birds
to the trembling gown
she slides into
inside her dreams

 


 

The Distance

the distance between
or the man running
his own voice chasing him
until he is able
 
the surface of
only where the sea
seems to begin or end
 
his name given to him then

 

 

Bob Heman

Bob Heman spent most of his adult life working in libraries and archives. His poetry and collages have been widely published. Bob recommends the National Coalition Against Censorship.

 

Edited for Unlikely by Jonathan Penton, Editor-in-Chief
Last revised on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 - 22:24