Content warning
This story may contain sensitive material or discuss topics that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised. The views and opinions expressed in this story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Vocal.
Nineteen Years
Dark Thoughts while Poking the Berry
Nineteen years,
sleeping alone.
Before that brief repast,
eleven years more.
Ere that,
eight uncertain,
always left to guess.
~~~~~
Then to discover
a friend counts me never,
but a joke well played,
only late,
the butt discovered.
~~~~~
Belladonna waits outside,
volunteer in the garden,
fully ripe.
You want it removed,
disposed.
But not before
those dark sweet berries
are mine
& I rest
at last supine
in every sense.
~~~~~
Alas, the taste of
but blackberry chocolate,
pokeberries,
purple lips,
purple tongue,
upset tummy,
the smooth flow of blood
& creamy brown
all night long.
~~~~~
My just due
for ever thinking
I could leave you.
About the Creator
Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock
Retired Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church having served for a total of 30 years in Missouri, South Dakota & Kansas.
Born in Watertown, SD on 9/26/1959. Married to Sandra Jellison-Knock on 1/24/1986. One son, Keenan, deceased.
Keep reading
More stories from Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock and writers in Poets and other communities.
A Pastor's Snafu-Senryu, Take 2
Exiting the john, Ready for the church service, Microphone was on. ~~~~~~~~~~ True story, personal, faced by most pastors at some time during their ministry, unfortunately usually during times of great gastro-intestinal distress. For me, someone knocked on the bathroom door & said, "Pastor, could you please turn your microphone off."
By Randy Wayne Jellison-Knock7 months ago in Poets
Comments (25)
Hi Asst. Pastor Randy. Miss you..hope you're doing ok? Wrote "Marital~Bliss" with you and Sandra in mind. I've been off the Vocal Campus for a while after an accident. Many said I should ask for a blessing from the VocalPastor Randy...! Left a message under story with my appreciation to the VocalVillage. Although 'Virtual' friends...friends they are and it was so meaningful to me. Out of hosp now - as Ringo Starr once said, "I'm just happy to be here." Virtual Amigo, j.in.l.a.
Ow, this is really rather painful!
Brilliant!!! But, bitter!!! Left a heart!!!
This is a great story. I enjoyed this story.I just published a new story . If you want to read my story then visit this link https://vocal.media/motivation/eternal-serenade-a-love-story-painted-by-the-sea
This one thrums dark and sticky in gloomy brain-corners 👏
Very dark and bitter sweet
Feels weird to click the heart for this one, but I do really like how you crafted this. It reverberates with a deep melancholy, a depression that has overtaken the mind and is creeping toward the soul. I cannot get the image of dark purple out of my head now. If anyone could keep the speaker from going through with it, it would be "you." Or at least, I hope it's as hopeful as I'm interpreting it. "Then to discover a friend counts me never, but a joke well played, only late, the butt discovered." -- These lines are particularly impactful. True story? (I'm wondering about a few possibilities.) I know you're not alright, not completely, and I see it here in this piece. Seems to be a more resigned feeling than in your grocery list poem, as if it's been in the works for months or years. Please be okay soon. I might have to go shopping for serotonin-rich foods for you. 💜
Ooooo, so dark! Loved it! As always very well done!
Darkly beautiful 🤍
I have no way to describe this, really. It was such a perfectly twisted blend of sadness, despair and decadence. Superbly written :)
So dark the hearts of men. Belladonna, such a lovely word for an evil thing. Yet no one is worth another's life. Except the bible thing, 'greater love hath no man than this etc'.
Then to discover a friend counts me never, but a joke well played, only late, the butt discovered. These lines hit me so hard. They were just wayyyyy too relatable. Your poem was so heartbreaking. I hope you're okay and that you feel better after writing this. Sending you lots of love and hugs! ❤️
Randy, this is something else. Love the second stanza.
Wow, Randy, The pain of betrayal, the longing for death, and the power of beauty.
A very sensual and deep poem. I like this one a lot.
eery and alluring, 'but a joke well played, only late, the butt discovered' - wonderful line
Wow Randy, this is dark for you but I love it.
ooh this is really twisty (in a good way), Randy.
Really good. See you worked the belladonna in there.
This is beautiful, but dark. Well done.
Beautiful!
So delectably smooth all the way to the very end!!!
Evocative!!! 💕❤️❤️
Why would this be offensive?
This feels like a deep rich broth that has been in the making for years, truly a layered and delicate dish with enough to keep you full, yet wanting more