The day’s gone stale before noon,
crusts of clouds I cannot chew.
Crusts my lover chewed right through
so quick, I feared he’d chip a tooth.
He chipped a tooth quickly, now it’s loose,
roots too exposed resist the truth.
Resisting truth, our roots too exposed
to daybreak’s dark bacterial growth.
Bacterial growth molds my soul
with inedible feelings, come evening.
Evening is inedible; when it comes,
my lover points to our dry cotton texture.
Another cotton texture points dry, and my lover,
tossed in the compost with all the others.
© khartless 2022, All Rights Reserved
NaPoWriMo#27~Today’s challenge was to craft a“duplex.” A “duplex” is a variation on the sonnet, developed by the poet Jericho Brown. Like a typical sonnet, a duplex has fourteen lines. It’s organized into seven, two-line stanzas. The second line of the first stanza is echoed by (but not identical to) the first line of the second stanza, the second line of the second stanza is echoed by (but not identical to) the first line of the third stanza, and so on. I put a bit of my own spin on it, of course, and I hope you like it.
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
Love it!
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Thank you. 💜
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I want to add one more thing. When I see you comment or post something, seeing your name “Hartless” always, in that very second, the song Heartless by Heart blares through my brain. Lol.
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A good one. Yes, it is a gift this cold, unfeeling last name of mine. 💜
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Very nice! Is this your voice?
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Thank you, John. Yes, it is. Is it what you expected?
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I didn’t expect anything, just a curious question, but your voice is very soft. ❤️🌹
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Why thank you. 💜 not my teacher voice this time. 😂
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Great rhythmic progression to each new stanza – you have such a soothing voice when reciting it 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Tom. I rarely record, but I wanted to hear what this one sounded like and thought it would be a nice surprise. Hope your day has been more palatable.
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Certainly a pleasant surprise hearing you in person – you have a lovely recital voice 🙂
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Thank you. A lovely compliment. Lots of training as teacher, I suppose.
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I absolutely love this, K. Wonderful 💕
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Thank you kindly, Grace.
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My pleasure 💕
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Beautifully done love! Nice job. 🫶🤟
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Thank you. 💜🦋
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Awesome poem, and a wonderful read, K. 💜 The ending is epic.
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Thank you, Jeff. I did own the first lines in commute (promise I kept both hands on the wheel) 😂
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You’re most welcome, K. Always. Haha! Oh, good, please be safe. Have I ever told you I have post it’s in my car for when insights drop in. Haha! Both hands in the wheel though, well sorta. 😂😂😂
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😉 not a bad idea there. Stop light post it notes and hope you can read them later. I’ll admit, I’ve pulled over before. The poem o was catching, well worth it.
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I may or may not stop. Haha. Most of the time I can read them, sometimes not. 😅 Ive pulled over before too. Worth it, indeed.
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Lovely. I tried a bit of concrete poetry today on the drive in; not the smartest idea.😂
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Wonderful write K. You really made the most of the echoing of each stanza in the next. So impressed, you seem to be able to write wherever you are! Was great to hear you read it too ❤
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Thank you ever so much, Marion. Usually I avoid recording readings, but for some reason I felt right in the mood with this one. I am grateful for your kind words.
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Great duplex, K.Hartless. You really did justice with this form which I struggled with, tbh. Well done.
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That’s so kind of you. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, so maybe it’s one I will return to. Although, I didn’t repeat the last line (rule breaker).
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