The Snowflake Chronicles

Random Starts to Unfinish Poems

Author's Note: The following lines, title, or quotes are random starts or ideas for unfinished poems. I do not know when I began them because I normally do not date my unfinished poems.

1

The Secret

The secret of
Mrs. Lovett's famous pies
is in the meat.

About this poem: I think Mrs. Lovett's famous meat pies has something to do with an opera Mom and I went to see. The name of the opera was The Demon Barber of Fleet Street or something like that.

2

Viewing the Body

The shell is empty
The mollusk inside is gone
Its Mother of Pearl radiance

About this poem: I think I wrote these lines after Mom and I went to an open casket funeral for one of her friends.

3

Alphabetizing Repressed Memories

The darkened sense of wonder
A veil dark as Venus' clouds
Sulfuric acid terror
Darkened sense of awe
A veil thick as Venus' clouds
Awe darkened transformed
Awe darkened gold transmuted
Betrayed trust unspoken shame
Causes silent accept blame
Accept blame [my fault
betrayed trust] unspoken shame
Causes silent shy facade
[do not tell no one will believe you]
Sulfuric acid terror consumed self-worth

About this poem: I am not sure I can finish this poem, but I give it a few more months before attempting it again. I have the feeling I have to write it.

4

Cellar Dragon

About this poem: This is only a title and the title may be better suited to a short story or novel.

5

Prepaid Cremation

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift : that's why t hey call it the present." - Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

Note about this poem: The quote came in an ad for prepaid cremation services. I am not sure what the quote has to do with cremation, but I have been receeving these ads since I turned sixty.