A Slice of Life and Death

We eat and grow and bear the winters then die.

Cold cuts

left over from

the night before

consumed;

delectable

sliced meats

to savour.

 

Cold cuts

as an icy wind

howls its winter

song in September,

penetrating

hopeful autumn

clothing.

 

Cold cuts

as blood

congeals

in open wounds

and life slips

away

in red regret.

 

02/07/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[kentuck14]

A clever write John . . . cold cuts served up at every human phase of life . . . contented . . . hopeful . . . and . . . well, not so hopeful. Are we having cold cuts for breakfast? I want one of those traditional British breakfasts?! Except for the so-called" blood pudding!
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah!!!!! You don't like black pudding...delicious! My favourite part of the 'Full English Breaklfast'. Many thanks Tom.

[gram linski]

sounded quite tasty until the bleak morbidity of mortality reared it's ugly head, good poem, dude, you do the dark stuff well, step away from the porn and head towards the night, lol,

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You are my counsellor now then laddie? Dae ya wanna be ma agent? Hey I like to be malable, bit of culture, bit of porn, bit of dark, bit of humour etc. Cheers bro!

[Edie Blue Starfish]

It makes me think of a funeral. The luncheon or gathering that follows...
Cheese tray and cold cuts...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah not a good image then. Sorry. Thanks for taking a peek though Edie!

[Edie Blue Starfish]

No. I guess not. My "real" life influences my interpretations of writing. I've been to a funeral recently... you're welcome though. :)

[alanwgraham]

I really liked this John. It is simple in structure which gives it a chat like vibe and picks up on the connections between things and makes you think. Its the kind of accessible poem that I like to write myself.
Great work.
Cheers,
Alan

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Alan, thank you for that nice review. Not seen you in a while?

[Gee]

That is where we are all headed from day dot, just got to remember to savour this life we live John.
Love the pure voice of Eva C and also that of Karen Carpenter.
Hope you are well John

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Gee, I am well enough and hoping you are enjoying that long needed break in the sun. And yes Eva, like several others was taken from us prematurely only to leave us wanting more. Many thanks sir!

[Cherrie]

A icy wind in September, great image
I'll tell you a cold cut secret, rye bread, bread n butter pickles, provolone, lettuce, tomatoe slice, and 4 Lays bbq potatoe chips on the top layer. Smash the sandwich and enjoy.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Sounds naughty but nice. We don'yt have bread n butter pickles her in the UK but I am sure I can find a substitute. We have dill pickle which is not as sweet. Many thanks Cherrie.

[Cherrie]

What, everyone needs a good bred n butter pickle, but a dill will work :)

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

And, that's true.
We rather survive to bare the unbearable than embarking the journey into the death land of no return.

This message is clear and good.
Great job!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Kay.

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

You are welcome.

[Chris Shaw]

Love Eva Cassidy John, so thank you for the music this evening. Another fine piece of free verse from your pen. Another prolific writer, how do you do it while I struggle.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Would you believe I heard her for the first time this evening and I am in ecstacy and tears listening now. You are being quite overly kind Chris. You post so many wonderful poems! Many thanks.

[Chris Shaw]

An incredible talent, a tragedy she died so young. I love her version of Fields of Gold. Now that is a tear jerker.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we bask in live, sup on its joy in existence, then we start to feel that cold coming in as we dine on the leftovers...and soon after, we meet our winter...the blood runs cold then stops.
i like the three part play you set in three stanzas of scenes.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Exactly that Jacob, Many thanks.