Heirs Apparent
by John Zedolik
I will not remain mum on the
chrysanthe—
for one must speak of the vermillion
and golden eyes upon spikes
that tough it out after the summer’s softies
have dropped, dried, and died
their petal blazes no proof, no heat
against
the new, morning chills—
and the lesser light that lets in the shadows
that stalk the three-month growths
with their dim to black capes that encompass
the ground
now seasoned for those fall blooms—
suitable bristles sensing the growing-
dying season and saying, “hello, we are here
and ready for the buffets”
that these moody months will bring—
so wind up—and fling!”
About the Author
John Zedolik is an adjunct English professor at Chatham University and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and has published poems in Abbey, The Bangalore Review, Commonweal, FreeXpresSion, and others. In 2019, he published his first full-length collection, Salient Points and Sharp Angles (WordTech Editions), and has since published When the Spirit Moves Me, Mother Mourning, The Ramifications, and Lovers’ Progress, all with Wipf & Stock. An additional collection is forthcoming. His iPhone is his primary poetry notebook, and he hopes his use of technology to craft this ancient art remains faithful. You can find him on Facebook.
