Poussin is a professor of French and World Literature. His work in poetry and photography has appeared in Kestrel, Symposium, The Chimes, and hundreds of other publications worldwide. Most recently, his collections In Absentia, If I Had a Gun, Half Past Life, and The Temptation of Silence were published in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Silver Bow Publishing. 

Twenty-Three and Counting

Stubborn as an old trustee
he insists on the lie
nursing a limp recently acquired.

Many remember the last time
they celebrated the first time
the oddity said he turned twenty-three.

Most do not even know the others
yet they share this date with all
the grim early November day.

It must be nice to believe in the dream
staring down the gentle face of youth
wrinkle-free in a world of fancies.

They grin, giggle at the announcement 
their compassionate eye on the old man
for they love the would-be trickster without condition.

He dies in the pleasures of his teen years
ageless in the universe
glad to still be fully part of the living. 

In the Shadow of a Giant

She is the Aphrodite upon Acropolis
as I stand at the foot of the hazardous rock
she sees far beyond my limited horizons.

I wonder why my growth stopped so soon
while I was still running to capture
the infinite dream in the little flowery dress.

Now it seems time has stopped
gracing me with the gifts I had hoped for
space shrinks around my dying spirit.

100 More Years

The example is in infinite colors
sounds unheard in this decrepit neighborhood
scents made for divine creatures
it touches deep beneath the skin.

Bright lips of a never-ending gloss
though tight, speak in a thousand smiles
they bring comfort to the weary
in a solemn silence none can pierce.

Behind the glass the gaze is warm
deep blue after a thunderous night
a reassuring embrace surges
magical aura born from a noble soul.

Child yet he listens to her mysterious tongue
stilled by the strength of the daily teachings
if only he could live another century
grow with her words and apply her wisdom.

In the appearance of a puerile girl
far from the Amazon of ancient ages
all that surrounds her is awesome beauty
unassuming as she may be the giant in my breast.