RED, I LOVE
A Pantoum by Susan Nalder, Feb 14, 2011
Oriental poppies suggested in dreams
Firetrucks run red yellow and green
Robin’s breast pumps, a bird’s desire
Stop signs bring cars to an octagon halt
Firetrucks run red yellow and green
Rouge on the cheeks of the geisha
Stop signs bring cars to an octagon halt
Rubies and pomegranates query Neruda
Rouge on the cheeks of the geisha
Cupids and devils go crimson for fêtes
Rubies and pomegranates query Neruda
Exuberant Hindus color their purity
Cupids and devils go crimson for fêtes
Tiger lilies in red perfume the air
Exuberant Hindus color their purity
Blood in the bank is redder than dead
Tiger lilies in red perfume the air
Red Rivers run canyons and sad song refrains
Blood in the bank is redder than dead
Red Hots burn sweetly cinnamon
Red Rivers run canyons and sad song refrains
Cinnabar’s secret hides in mercury
Red Hots burn sweetly cinnamon
Bricks of the schoolhouse take mortar
Cinnabar’s secret hides in mercury
Tomatoes excite the innocent’s senses
Bricks of the schoolhouse take mortar
Radishes do push-ups in summer moonlight
Tomatoes excite the innocent’s senses
Flamenco gets palmas and zapateados
Radishes do push-ups in summer moonlight
Roses go rarely by any other name
Flamenco gets palmas and zapateados
Robin’s breast pumps out in desire
Roses go rarely by any other name
Oriental poppies suggested in dreams
February 26, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Nadler’s pantoum made me want to get out my red paint and go to town. So energetic and cinematic. Loved the obvious connections and the surreal indications. Thank you.