ringing in the memories

by Philip Venzke

I go to bed

comforted by the electric hum

of the pseudo-candle;

the cod perfume of her womb

fading from my sheets

and the alarm clock cowering

like a radiant tombstone.

*Originally published at The Argyle Literary Magazine.

Photo of Philip Venzke

BIO: Philip Venzke grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin.  His poetry is widely published in magazines throughout the U.S. and Europe.  His chapbook “Chant to Save the World” was a winner of The James Tate International 2021 Poetry Prize (published July 2022 by SurVision Books, Ireland).  His poems also appear in “Contemporary Surrealist and Magical Realist Poetry (an International Anthology)” edited by Jonas Zdanys, Lamar University Press, 2022.  His second chapbook “Rules to Change the World” was published by Finishing Line Press in November 2023.  His third chapbook "The Chronicles of Little Zero" was published in August 2024 by Alien Buddha Press.  His fourth chapbook "Song of the Empty Hand" is anticipated to be published in April 2025 by Anxiety Press.  And his fifth chapbook "Abandoned Barn" is anticipated to be published by Kelsay Books in June 2025.