Elemental Poetry

Poetry about the elements, anyone?

Earth flows through

her veins.

Sure.

Maybe she does have skin the colour of perfect coffee.

And eyes the colour of spruce bark.

But earth? Nah.

Maybe she does wear just one amber stone on a chain.

And maybe

Just maybe

When I ask why

Maybe she says "it makes me feel

closer to the earth."

She has her head in the clouds.

So doesn't that mean she can't be part of the ground?

Whatever.

She's still

mine.

Water?

Yes, I am water.

My friends always

say

I have water in my veins. Not blood.

I smile, toss my beach-bleached hair over my shoulder.

Finger my silver

pendant.

It makes

me

Feel so much closer to 

The place I was born.

Bungalow beach house in California.

Cost a whole bunch, as my mom says.

But whatever.

I still

love it

there.

What do you 

Mean, "she's air?"

How can one person be air?

She does move like

she's drifting

drifting

and inch off of the ground.

And she may prefer tight

pastels

in her clothes

because they make her move better.

And she may have....a...

way

With birds. But that doesn't mean

that she's air.

Does it?

Does it?

Sure, I'm fire. 

I like it hot.

I like everything hot.

Spicy food.

Hot showers, scalding baths. 

I play with fire.

I light fires.

Ask anyone

I know

I'll only ever wear a dress if it's red.

I'll only

Wear

Anything

If it's red.

Or orange.

Not really yellow, that's reserved for the sun.

Now I have some

Fires to light.

See you.

Author's Note

Who was you're favorite?

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

This is more than just clever, though the presentation of the elements is certainly that. The narrator of the piece is a full-blown, well-developed character, which is one of the hallmarks of first-rate narrative poetry. This is awfully impressive work.

[September Mallory]

Thank you very much.