Poetry: Selections From Mathew Serback

@ the river styx

judas seduces jesus while bathing nude in the river styx
everything in the river sticks--
sticky sticks like semen sweet

who denies who who gives who the hickey
kiss me kiss me
are you-- are you in me

the day i became a man
i read the last rites for the little boys of duck island-- you know the petty boys
who became petty thieves
eager & ready to tell their stories
& sell their dreams for a coke
& whiskey neat

isn't that neat

judas pulled at jesus' loincloth
who is the father who is the daddy
who is born soft

you turned the water to wine--
now you take me from behind
behind the curtain in front of your eyes

he was so honest
about the bondage--
& how he stroked jesus' head
told him-- hold it up higher--
higher before you're dead--

the last kiss to the forehead

 

 

 

@ the lighthouse staircase

seas stretch past seas the water calls calm calls to be adrift unmoored seeking the brighter lights that reach only far into the night into the tide the tide pulls forward-back erasing your path carving with courage

shadows cast the weight of the sea the sea pulling stronger waves wave to the stone set free restless cold night ache cold night chase the flare flicker bright in the mouth of the cave

salt-worn hands do not command the sea the land of free or feel free the endless rise the crash of
waves untouched

shore brace for the surge untouched sky still burns bright yet you do not have to drown

to be free do not rot inside the cave the storm does not own the sea nor the night let it be let it be
alright let it be to the night the ship buckles white-knuckle waves

riots can't be quiet
the quiet isn't the sea

navigate until daylight become the beacon for the free still free safe naked as night the cave craves the waves starves to be carved into by bright light

 
or swallowed by the sea the cave is always dark darkness infests the sea light won't banish this night it is going to have to get swallowed by the free

 

 

 

i am going to learn about sex from the television

 

 no one has a clue about what to do with their hands wanting it to go smoothly there is no smoothness in the plan sensitive skin comes unhinged stretched stretch marks & bruises around the neck 

 

 reeks of cooties 

 desperation 

 & sex

 

 

 

hell's kitchen

quit
bragging about your homemade hoisin sauce
what did it cost

scoff

fine dine on the details
the devil delights
in disguises being dispelled
the sweet & savory
smoke like hell the scary
& spooky are stoned-

well & the sadist sizes up
the stupid’s throne

here's the bone
pick from it

the sauce is sweet
stir the stew
of secrets
the devil’s just waiting there
doing the delicate dance
of flavor & fear
the plates are cold
the stakes are seared
the soup is bold
& it is hot in here

 

 

 

 

Mathew Serback is a poet and writer from Cleveland, Ohio, whose work explores themes of trauma, survival, and the human experience. His poetry often blends elements of philosophy, spirituality, and personal reflection. With over a decade of writing experience, Mathew’s work has appeared in various literary journals.