Carcinoma Dream

By
Paul Ilechko
-

We listened to a recording that was the color
of warm spice on an April morning++ trying to stay
pinned to the surface ++locked into the aspects

of texture and range++ unable to deal with
the context that reflected back those visions
still finding their way into our dreams

we followed the marks that were notched into trees
the splashes of blue paint on garbage cans
and dumpsters++ our noses twitching at the stink
of it++ a hospital smell ++as pervasive as squirrels

in the backyards of this town++ we finally made it
to the bridge++ and leaned over the parapet
watching the schools of fish that twisted like
the iron in our blood++ like a pale and fat opossum.

 

 

 



Click here to read Paul Ilechko on the origin of the poem.

Image: photo by novila misastra on Unsplash, licensed under CC 2.0.

Paul Ilechko:

I am very much a process-based writer, and while I do sometimes start writing a piece with a theme or some specific language already in mind, I use my process (which makes use of found materials) to drive the direction of the work in unexpected directions. One method that I frequently use is to start with a book, choose a poem at random, and write whatever comes to mind based on the first line of the poem. This would typically not use the actual words that are on the page, more the feelings and ideas and come to mind. I try to be as open as possible during the writing activity. Once I am done, I move to the next page, and this time write whatever is triggered by the second line of that piece, and then continue to repeat this process. What happens as I write is that a tension is created between what internally I think I am trying to write and what I am forced to incorporate by the process. I continue this until my writing comes to a logical end point.

Next, I will take what so far is merely a few lines written as prose, and work on refining it and turning it into a poem. This will involve all the usual “craft” decisions concerning language, delineation, etc. Whether I keep it in the “prose poem” format or use lines and stanzas is very much a “feel” decision as the what seems to work for the piece.

Paul Ilechko
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