Toppling the Family Tree
Erasing a legacy of evil
The view is clear now, from the top
The last tangled rung
Hacked free of my climbing limbs
Grasping rot spreads for miles around
A black, slimy film
Originating at the base of my family tree
Roots soft and fetid
Mold spores floating on the sickening breeze
𓆱𖣂𓆱
Every generation
Falling shorter than the last
No nourishment or light
Penetrating the haunted morass
All that’s left behind are the
Evils that test and try us all
Evaporated in the bog
A concentrated disease of the soul
𓆱𖣂𓆱
Nearby orchards
Fallen in blighted grief
No copper band or routed notch
Will stop the reeking slurk
Seeping from perforated xylem
Weeping poison from barren tethers
The willow tree of my ancestral tribulation
𓆱𖣂𓆱
My final task: trim its serpentine branches
Crush minty leaves beneath my feet
Douse the desiccated wood with the
Liquid light of day
Exposure causing the
Wretched heart of sorrow to scream in
Observed agony
Striking a packet of old hotel matches
I toss it without mercy
Burning my fallen past
In the unpromised hope of a
Future free from torment
𓆱𖣂𓆱
Steep scattered chips of bark
With piercing needles of pine
I’ll need the tonic to recover
Chopping the trunk will be
My final familial endeavor
The only way to escape this
Dying Meadow
Balancing on a narrow
Sinking log
Running, without a glance behind
Before I'm reclaimed by
History’s black shine
K.B. Silver
About the Creator
K.B. Silver
K.B. Silver has poems published in magazine Wishbone Words, and lit journals: Sheepshead Review, New Note Poetry, Twisted Vine, Avant Appa[achia, Plants and Poetry, recordings in Stanza Cannon, and pieces in Wingless Dreamer anthologies.
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CH 18~ Responsibilities
“Ginny, will you please just enlighten me? What exactly was your plan?” “Azure, please don’t be mad at anyone else; this was all my fault.” “Oh, I’m not. From what you’ve told me so far, shockingly, Francine was the only one with anything even resembling a plan, as pointless as it was. That’s why I want to hear yours, Genevive. Right now, as your unit leader, I have serious doubts about your judgment capabilities.”
By K.B. Silver Exclusive • 6 days ago
Comments (5)
That felt like catharsis blow-by-blow commentary. How did it feel in the writing of it? There were places in the reading of it where I could have slipped down a metaphorical hole for real. Kudos on your placement!
K.B., this is an astounding poem; You did a fine job here. Congratulations on your win❣🌹 This is quite the image: "Striking a packet of old hotel matches I toss it without mercy Burning my fallen past In the unpromised hope of a Future free from torment"
Damn, this is incredible writing. Sharp, brutal rather than merely poignant. You’ve perfectly translated the idea of a legacy of poison and pain, to the image of the family tree. Every word feels perfectly placed, for maximum effect, without being cliche or overwrought. Beautiful work, I’m glad you got some recognition with this— well earned!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your honourable mention! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congrats on a stunner of a poem!!