A Study in Red and White and Keeping Up Appearances, 2 poems by Valerie Griggs

A STUDY IN RED AND WHITE
Perhaps a poinsettia-shaped arrow,
aimed perfectly by the mischievous son of Venus,
brought pomegranate seed mayhem
to this soul of mine.
A red velvet cake secret
snowballed sweetly until
I was pale with no sleep, no appetite
for anything but you.
A December rose blooms above fresh fallen snow—
how did you slip
between my silver lining?
Photo of bright red rose
Photo by Fred Wilbur
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
On our bones
we painted strawberries
to hide cracks made
by life in the desert.
Hidden grief
lives in our bones;
the painted life of the desert
hides what we have lost.
Our weak love, colder
than desert night,
cuts a fault line through our lives,

and the heat eats our bones.


Valerie Griggs
Valerie enjoys being a part of the vibrant community of poets in Long Island. During the summers of 1992, ’93, and ‘95, Valerie taught English in the People’s Republic of China. As a singer/songwriter, Valerie has recorded three original music CDs.

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