Alchemy
Alchemy
by Laura Summerville Reed
I never showed up for chemistry class
but passed the litmus test just the same
I climbed out the window
to chase the Philosopher’s Stone
Changing lead balloons into white hot Devil Orbs
has always been the more interesting homework
I sought the Universal Solvent
I discovered the Elixir of Life
The gold and silver Panacea
sparkles and shines
and tears at the day and the night
and my wrists and my throat
I stir this cup
bitter as quinine
sweet as summer honey
gathered in the sunlight
savored in the moonlight
I’ll drink it up
and toast to its glorious failure
and all that’s won between the lines
LSR 2010©