The Poetry Stash: 13Feb2024

American Sonnet 95 by Wanda Coleman

Today’s poem is “American Sonnet 95” by Wanda Coleman from the collection Wicked Enchantment: Selected Poems. The book is available for purchase here.

American Sonnet 95 by Wanda Coleman

seized by wicked enchantment, I surrendered my song

as I fled for the stars, i saw an earthchild
in a distant hallway, crying out
to his mother, “please don’t go away
and leave us.” he was, i saw, my son. immediately,
i discontinued my flight

from here, i see the clocktower in a sweep of light,
framed by wild ivy. it pierces all nights to come

i haunt these chambers but they belong to cruel churchified insects.
among the books mine go unread, dust-covered.
i write about urban bleeders and breeders, but am
troubled because their troubles echo mine.

at this moment i am sickened by the urge
to smash. my thighs present themselves

stillborn, misshapened wings within me

Prompts:

1.	Begin with “seized by…”
2.	Begin with “i haunt…”
3.	Explore what it feels like to surrender dreams/goals to care for a loved one such as a child, parent, sibling or friend.
4.	Write about anger.
5.	Describe the experience of pursuing dreams/goals without support or validation. The challenges could include poverty, racism, medical conditions, or any discriminatory practices that stand as gatekeepers to accomplishment and safety.

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