VINTAGE ANTIQUE JEWELRY

Muriel said, "The Universe is made up of stories, not of atoms."

If so, then last week, my universe
died, imploded, shook itself free
of every last flea circus, toppling
its big hat into oblivion, leaving the
brass ring dangling without a sound.

No words rang out for attention, only
phrases garbled like AM-radio static
adding to the distant echo
from my strangled muse, whose
silent "oh's" from hot pink painted
lips, mirrored the midnight murder
of any stories I may have
left to tell.

She said, "Not of atoms", not basic, not red and cold
but cut garnet stains and hospital wall frigid.
Never poor and sad, but often
with lint filled pockets and morose tinted windshields.

"The Universe"; Her words, my well of designations,
my trunk of hinged emotions,
my guff of not yet born memories,
all seemingly vanquished, last Tuesday.

The day my stories died.

(quote from Muriel Rukeyser)