Wednesday, July 6, 2022

GAS Featured Poet: William Doreski

 



William Doreski lives in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He has taught at several colleges and universities. His most recent book of poetry is Mist in Their Eyes (2021).  His essays, poetry, fiction, and reviews have appeared in various journals.

                                                                       


Mushrooms and Orchids


When I joke about your obsession

with mushrooms and orchids you gaze

with inhuman flicker candid

as a reptile’s. The Sunday light

refracted by your smile hurts

the churchgoing crowd you despise,

and like me they regard you

from the corners of their eyes as if

afraid some curse will apply.

Some claim you sleep under toadstools.

Some even whisper that the pink

of the lady slipper tempts you

to a devilish sort of excess.

Yet you’re harmless as the flora

you admire, excepting the toxic

amanita, the flesh of which

is tough and white as your thighs.




No comments:

Post a Comment