The 28th Palace
Plastered in a semi-invented tale
little is recorded
enthralled brothers
starched blouses
eyes as black
as mourning
an endless hour
called to eat
years shall pass
even the lowliest poet
go home
to a meal
surrounded by sneering
skirts at night
one slight man
hiding civil authority
merely lengthens the shadows
on native soil
that deserted road
olive trees
one must be careful
on the shallow grave
a failure
of red earth
evil and the poet immortal.
Gates and Mountains
A jade flute
it’s the traveler’s thoughts
I stay on the green
a thousand feet
From whose home
feelings tower high
Terror secretly flies
my old friend’s position
The waves startle what reason
I fear to disturb
— by Ben Nardolilli
Copyright ©2012, by Ben Nardolilli. All Rights Reserved.
Ben Nardolilli currently lives in Arlington, Virginia. His work has
appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, One Ghana One Voice, Caper
Literary Journal, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, fwriction, THEMA, Pear
Noir, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. His chapbook Common Symptoms
of an Enduring Chill Explained, has been published by Folded Word
Press. He maintains a blog at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is looking
to publish his first novel.