Systole

Systole is the contraction of your heart that pushes blood through your veins. "Systole" describes that contraction with rhythm, rhyme and reason. "Systole" is twenty-three, 21st century poems.
The poems of "Systole" are composed so that the reader is not just included or embraced, but exposed. "The Big M" reflects upon the challenges of being (my) mom; "As Though" exemplifies the son and "As If" is the aggregate women.

"Systole" is modern poetry, sometimes sophisticated and sometimes simple. Thoughts are heard in "Because I am" and "Existence" makes the metaphysical very physical. "Denial" and "Realization" are two versions of the same relationship; "D. K." stands for Drama King and "Irony" romantically explains the upside and the downside.

"Systole" is relationships in poetry. "Now" is being loved; "Know, Know, Know" is simple love and "All Ways" is a haunting love. "Steps" is about trying too hard; "Memories" is about impressively not trying and "No. 1" is about trying to resist charisma. "Trepidation/Constriction" is a frozen picture of denial and defeatism.

"Systole" reveals relationships with insight, honesty and truth… although it's an interesting, edgy truth. "Religion" is ironic and "Q. C. Report" makes a very professional recommendation for a difficult courtship. "Vanquished" has an ethereal quality and sensitivity; "It Defines" is in dictionary form and "Nothing" proposes a sarcastic rebuttal.

The poems of "Systole" are presented in the order in which they were written, and make no reference to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, politics, economic status, region, generation or dietary preferences, except when absolutely necessary. No one came back to me in "Back To Me" and "Epilogue", in two short verses, says it all.