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| Cancer Sun Sign |
First, know the nature
of the Cancer sun sign
to move sideways
instead of directly to a point—
think of the crab
running the sea shore, body
turned, claw feet
almost too fast to see, bulky
body light as a cloud,
not the dead pink lump
you see on your
plate. I am like that.
My parents and I were
all Cancer signs. More so
when we lived in the
same house. Imagine:
We skirted each other’s
understanding, running
in circles, trying like
hard to rein in our crab-ness
to listen carefully to
each other—to show that we
at least listened even
if we didn’t understand.
Love tells truth slant—in
this Cancer sign race—
running in circles, intending
to be gentle, its vague
but pointed indirectness
rankles. We all notice,
but too late to stop
the damage. We press our lips
together and get
quiet. The hurt is a little stone
to rub and polish.
Later one of us will throw it.
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
If you quote, credit this page.
© 2020 Susan L. Chast
Please respect my copyright.
If you quote, credit this page.
© 2020 Susan L. Chast
As i am a cancer sign, i delighted in this poem....i am the only cancer in my family, and my sideways scuttling has never been understood. Loved this poem so much.
ReplyDeleteMove sideways instead of directly to the point... aah... I don't do sunsigns but I must say the cancerians I know are exactly like that... too late to stop the damage- the consequences of running in circles are heartbreakingly familiar. Your last two poems hit the mark so well, Susan.
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